1
mujaheddin
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.08
Appears 37 times in book:
Sen 19455
A
mujaheddin
fighter
once
told
me
that
fate
gives
all
of
us
three
teachers,
three
friends,
three
enemies,
and
three
great
loves
in
our
lives.
Sen 20045
If
we
pass
through
the
heavily
armed
clans
who
would
like
to
take
what
we
have,
we
will
deliver
our
goods
to
a
unit
of
mujaheddin
fighters
who
are
putting
siege
to
Kandahar
city.
Sen 20404
We
were
setting
out
with
him
to
commit
a
score
of
crimes
across
three
international
boundaries,
and
to
interfere
in
a
war
between
Afghanistan’s
mujaheddin
freedom
fighters
and
the
mighty
Goliath
of
the
Soviet
Union.
Sen 20484
The
heavy
winter
clothing,
after
a
journey
of
thousands
of
kilometres
through
Germany,
Austria,
Hungary,
Romania,
Bulgaria,
Turkey,
Iran,
and
Pakistan,
never
reached
the
fighting
men
of
the
mujaheddin
in
the
snowdraped
mountains
of
Afghanistan.
Sen 20705
They
should
want
us
to
smuggle
stuff
to
the
mujaheddin.
2
charras
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The gum resin of the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). Same as Churrus. Balfour.
"churrus": A powerfully narcotic and intoxicating gum resin which exudes from the flower heads, seeds, etc., of Indian hemp.
Difficulty: 18.82
Appears 31 times in book:
Sen 413
‘Just
it
happens
I
have
it
one
tola,
ten
grams,
the
best
Afghan
charras,
in
my
pocket.
Sen 462
‘Is
good
charras,
yes?’
Sen 503
I
say
that
this
very
best
charras
is
one
hundred
rupees,
not
two.’
Sen 912
But
now,
Linbaba,
with
this
money
from
selling
your
good
present
to
Mr.
Sanjay,
I
can
buy
two
bottles
of
very
bad
and
nicely
cheap
Indian
whisky,
to
enjoy,
and
plenty
of
money
left
for
one
nice
new
shirt,
red
colour,
one
tola
of
good
charras,
tickets
for
enjoying
air
condition
Hindi
picture,
and
two
days
of
foods.
Sen 973
‘Well,
now
I
am
telling
…
that
tola
charras,
the
one
I
was
selling
to
you
in
hotel
…’
3
gora
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.29
Appears 28 times in book:
Sen 2445
‘He
says
you
are
the
first
gora
he
ever
met
who
can
speak
Marathi
…
Sen 3370
‘Gora
kaun
hain?’
the
driver
asked,
when
we
climbed
aboard
the
step.
Sen 5649
As
we
got
out
of
the
car
I
heard
the
cop
say
loudly,
The
gora
speaks
Hindi?
Sen 6321
‘I
have
brought
the
gora
to
meet
you.
Sen 10835
Perhaps
the
strangeness
of
the
situation—a
white
man,
a
gora,
pleading
in
Hindi
for
the
lives
of
two
black
men—held
them
back
from
murder.
4
chillum
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.38
Appears 24 times in book:
Sen 4601
He
prepared
the
chillum,
rocking
from
side
to
side
and
smiling
absently.
Sen 4606
He
finished
preparing
the
chillum,
and
looked
up
at
me.
Sen 4612
Then
he
held
the
chillum
to
his
mouth,
in
the
funnel
of
his
hand,
puffed
it
alight,
and
offered
it
to
me.
Sen 5515
‘Chillum
bono,’
Khaderbhai
said
to
Abdullah.
Sen 5516
Make
a
chillum.
5
beedie
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.20
Appears 16 times in book:
Sen 3523
Smoking
a
beedie
cigarette
and
sitting
on
the
ox-bow
yoke,
his
legs
dangling
free,
was
Prabaker’s
father.
Sen 7910
She
threw
the
finished
beedie
away,
and
took
a
step
towards
me.
Sen 8314
Karla
fidgeted,
tossed
her
beedie
cigarette
out
of
the
open
window,
and
rifled
through
the
contents
of
her
patent-leather
shoulder
bag.
Sen 10550
I
lay
back,
in
a
darkness
that
smelt
of
incense
and
beedie
cigarettes
and
cheap
kerosene,
and
I
sifted
the
events
of
the
last
few
days
through
a
sieve
of
doubt
and
suspicion.
Sen 11087
Prabaker
went
to
buy
three
beedie
cigarettes
from
Kumar’s
shop
counter,
and
lit
them
with
the
same
match,
holding
them
in
one
hand
and
burning
the
ends
with
the
other.
6
singlet
prev
next
Definition
Definition
An unlined or undyed waistcoat; a single garment; -- opposed to doublet. [Prov. Eng.]
"doublet": 1. Two of the same kind; a pair; a couple. 2. (Print.) A word or words unintentionally doubled or set up a second time. 3. A close-fitting garment for men, covering the body from the neck to the waist or a little below. It was worn in Western Europe from the 15th to the 17th century. 4. (Lapidary Work) A counterfeit gem, composed of two pieces of crystal, with a color them, and thus giving the appearance of a naturally colored gem. Also, a piece of paste or glass covered by a veneer of real stone. 5. (Opt.) An arrangement of two lenses for a microscope, designed to correct spherical aberration and chromatic dispersion, thus rendering the image of an object more clear and distinct. W. H. Wollaston. 6. pl. (See No. 1.) Two dice, each of which, when thrown, has the same number of spots on the face lying uppermost; as, to throw doublets. 7. pl. Etym: [Cf. Pr. doblier, dobler draughtboard.] A game somewhat like backgammon. Halliwell. 8. One of two or more words in the same language derived by different courses from the same original from; as, crypt and grot are doublets; also, guard and ward; yard and garden; abridge and abbreviate, etc.
Difficulty: 17.69
Appears 15 times in book:
Sen 3287
He
lifted
his
shirt
and
singlet
to
display
what
was
indeed
a
rough
scratch
and
gathering
bruise.
Sen 9298
He
was
wearing
Puma
sneakers,
jeans,
and
a
basketball
singlet
with
the
number
23
printed
on
the
front.
Sen 11020
Appraising
it
with
a
suspicious
squint,
he
slapped
at
the
crate
with
a
filthy
rag
and
then
tucked
the
cloth
into
his
singlet.
Sen 11891
He
wore
a
black
singlet
under
the
shirt,
and
the
black
hat
was
still
hanging
at
his
back.
Sen 12417
There,
the
rich
men,
like
the
rest
of
us,
packed
their
nostrils
with
strips
of
cloth
torn
from
a
shirt
or
singlet,
and
clamped
a
lit
beedie
cigarette
between
their
teeth
to
fight
the
smell.
7
goondas
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.80
Appears 13 times in book:
Sen 5613
He
has
goondas,
and
those
gangsters
have
made
threats,
and
even
done
some
beatings.
Sen 13419
‘One
of
Khaderbhai’s
goondas
beat
up
a
rich
kid
at
a
nightclub,’
he
began,
handing
me
a
drink.
Sen 13633
His
team
of
Indian
goondas
and
Iranian
veterans
of
the
war
with
Iraq
ensured
that
irregularities
were
rare,
and
ruthlessly
punished.
Sen 20984
‘Local
goondas,’
I
laughed.
Sen 20985
‘Goondas,’
he
repeated,
laughing
with
me.
8
matka
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.49
Appears 10 times in book:
Sen 4081
One
hundred
and
twelve
numbers—one
for
every
man
in
the
village—were
written
on
small
pieces
of
paper,
and
mixed
together
in
an
empty
clay
water-pot,
called
a
matka.
Sen 5413
On
the
sea
wall,
I
felt
the
cool
breeze
wash
across
the
skin
of
my
face
and
chest
like
water
poured
from
a
clay
matka.
Sen 7346
The
water
was
stored
in
an
earthenware
matka.
Sen 11003
I
stripped
off
my
torn,
bloody
shirt,
and
poured
a
third
of
a
bucket
of
clean
water
from
the
clay
matka.
Sen 11373
I
told
him
to
throw
out
the
water
in
his
matka,
wash
it
out
thoroughly,
and
get
fresh
water.
9
baksheesh
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Same as Backsheesh.
"backsheesh": In Egypt and the Turkish empire, a gratuity; a "tip".
Difficulty: 17.74
Appears 10 times in book:
Sen 593
This
place
is
so
good,
they
only
have
to
pay
the
police
half
of
usual
baksheesh
money.
Sen 1514
To
baksheesh!’
Sen 2455
‘Baksheesh,
Lin.
Sen 5364
And,
of
course,
anyone
who
could
pay
baksheesh
was
safe.
Sen 5703
Now
they
see
such
big
baksheesh,
more
than
a
policeman
like
him
is
getting,
and
they
will
respect
him
a
little.
10
lungi
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.69
Appears 10 times in book:
Sen 3652
Under
the
indigo
banner
of
early-evening
sky,
on
the
scratch
of
track
between
fields
of
undulant
maize
and
millet,
we
spread
out
the
colours
of
India,
the
yellows
and
reds
and
peacock
blues
of
shirts
and
lungi
wraps
and
saris.
Sen 3784
After
the
final
rinse,
and
a
quick
dry
off
with
the
towel,
he
taught
me
how
to
tie
a
lungi
around
the
wet
shorts.
Sen 3785
The
lungi
was
a
sarong-like
rectangle
of
cotton,
worn
from
waist
to
ankle.
Sen 3786
He
gathered
two
long
ends
or
corners
of
the
lungi
at
the
front,
and
then
passed
them
around
my
waist,
and
rolled
them
under
the
top
edge,
in
the
small
of
my
back.
Sen 3787
Within
the
encircling
lungi,
I
removed
and
discarded
my
wet
shorts
and
slipped
on
a
dry
pair
of
shorts
underneath.
11
roti
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.20
Appears 10 times in book:
Sen 3980
When
we’d
made
our
toilet,
washed
our
faces,
and
cleaned
our
teeth,
Rukhmabai
stood
over
Prabaker
and
me
while
we
ate
a
solid
breakfast
of
roti
and
chai.
Sen 3981
The
roti,
or
unleavened
flatbreads,
were
made
fresh
for
each
breakfast,
and
cooked
in
a
lightly
oiled
wok
on
an
open
fire.
Sen 3985
Trapped,
our
jaws
grinding
away
at
the
admittedly
delicious
food,
we
both
cast
surreptitious
glances
at
the
young
women
cooking
at
the
wok,
hoping
that
each
roti,
after
the
third
or
fourth
we’d
eaten,
would
be
our
last.
Sen 3990
The
meal
usually
consisted
of
the
ubiquitous
roti,
spicy
lentil
dhal,
mango
chutney,
and
raw
onions,
served
with
lime
juice.
Sen 4204
They
were
dressed
in
dhotis
and
white
caps
like
the
farmers
in
Prabaker’s
village,
and
they
sat
on
the
floor
to
eat
a
hearty
meal
of
dhal,
rice,
and
roti.
12
marketeers
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.37
Appears 9 times in book:
Sen 4383
The
black
marketeers,
who
were
Prabaker’s
friends
and
contacts
on
the
street,
were
happy
that
I’d
brought
new
customers
to
them,
and
they
paid
me
commissions
as
well.
Sen 4399
True,
I’d
inadvertently
discovered
a
way
to
earn
money
as
a
middleman,
a
go-between,
helping
wary
foreigners
to
deal
with
black
marketeers.
Sen 11777
The
rain
had
been
heavy,
and
the
flooding
in
many
areas
of
the
city
was
as
hard
on
the
touts,
dealers,
guides,
acrobats,
pimps,
beggars,
and
black
marketeers
who
made
their
living
on
the
street
as
it
was
on
the
many
businessmen
whose
shops
were
submerged.
Sen 11789
But
the
swiftest
to
the
source,
the
sharpest-eyed
of
all
the
street
people,
were
those
of
us
who
broke
the
law
professionally:
the
black
marketeers.
Sen 13658
The
black
marketeers
were
happy
because
a
steady
stream
of
dollars,
Deutschmarks,
riyals,
and
dirhams
flowed
into
the
river
of
demand
created
by
Indian
business
travellers.
13
dour
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Hard; inflexible; obstinate; sour in aspect; hardy; bold. [Scot.] A dour wife, a sour old carlin. C. Reade.
Difficulty: 16.23
Appears 9 times in book:
Sen 1221
The
dark,
brooding,
undernourished
young
man
was
Modena,
a
dour
and
taciturn
Spaniard
who
did
black-market
business
with
French,
Italian,
and
African
tourists.
Sen 8979
‘Abdul
has
a
pet
theory,
Lin,’
said
Khaled,
the
dour
Palestinian.
Sen 9119
Keki
was
dour
and
unresponsive,
and
Rajubhai
seemed
to
be
suspicious
of
me,
almost
to
the
point
of
rudeness.
Sen 15028
‘Touch
wood,’
Scorpio
added,
his
dour
frown
already
focusing
on
the
troubles
the
evening
might
bring.
Sen 18095
The
point
man
for
Maurizio’s
operation
in
Bombay
was
the
diffident,
dour
Spaniard,
Sebastian
Modena.
14
hutments
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.49
Appears 8 times in book:
Sen 5487
‘You
are
the
doctor
in
the
Colaba
hutments,
Mr.
Lin.
Sen 5489
It
is
unusual,
a
foreigner,
living
in
the
hutments.
Sen 5494
The
slum
where
I
lived,
known
as
the
zhopadpatti,
or
the
hutments,
half
a
square
kilometre,
with
twenty-five
thousand
men,
women,
and
children,
belonged
to
him?
Sen 5500
Doctors
will
not
go
into
the
hutments
willingly.
Sen 6168
‘He
is
the
doctor
in
the
Colaba
hutments.’
15
spluttered
prev
next
Definition (splutter)
Definition (splutter)
To speak hastily and confusedly; to sputter. [Colloq.] Carleton.
A confused noise, as of hasty speaking. [Colloq.]
"confusedly": In a confused manner.
"sputter": 1. To spit, or to emit saliva from the mouth in small, scattered portions, as in rapid speaking. 2. To utter words hastily and indistinctly; to speak so rapidly as to emit saliva. They could neither of them speak their rage, and so fell a sputtering at one another, like two roasting apples. Congreve. 3. To throw out anything, as little jets of steam, with a noise like that made by one sputtering. Like the green wood . . . sputtering in the flame. Dryden.
To spit out hastily by quick, successive efforts, with a spluttering sound; to utter hastily and confusedly, without control over the organs of speech. In the midst of caresses, and without the last pretend incitement, to sputter out the basest accusations. Swift.
Moist matter thrown out in small detached particles; also, confused and hasty speech.
Difficulty: 17.91
Appears 8 times in book:
Sen 4263
I
thought
he
was
about
to
admit
defeat,
but
at
last
he
gasped
and
spluttered
his
way
through
to
empty
the
glass.
Sen 13322
‘Am
ek?’
he
spluttered,
through
the
laugh.
Sen 17547
‘I’m
just
glad
it
wasn’t
an
advert
for
laxatives
or
some
such!’
he
spluttered,
causing
me
to
laugh
and
spray
tea
at
him
in
return.
Sen 22006
‘Don’t
get
me
started
again!’
Khaled
spluttered,
laughing
and
clutching
at
his
side.
Sen 22486
‘I’m
out
of
line!’
I
spluttered,
feeling
my
teeth
chatter,
and
struggling
to
make
my
numb
limbs
obey
my
mind.
16
winced
prev
next
Definition (wince)
Definition (wince)
1. To shrink, as from a blow, or from pain; to flinch; to start back. I will not stir, nor wince, nor speak a word. Shak. 2. To kick or flounce when unsteady, or impatient at a rider; as, a horse winces.
The act of one who winces.
A reel used in dyeing, steeping, or washing cloth; a winch. It is placed over the division wall between two wince pits so as to allow the cloth to descend into either compartment. at will. Wince pit, Wince pot, a tank or a pit where cloth in the process of dyeing or manufacture is washed, dipped in a mordant, or the like.
"flounce": To throw the limbs and body one way and the other; to spring, turn, or twist with sudden effort or violence; to struggle, as a horse in mire; to flounder; to throw one's self with a jerk or spasm, often as in displeasure. To flutter and flounce will do nothing but batter and bruise us. Barrow. With his broad fins and forky tail he laves The rising sirge, and flounces in the waves. Addison.
The act of floucing; a sudden, jerking motion of the body.
An ornamental appendage to the skirt of a woman's dress, consisting of a strip gathered and sewed on by its upper edge around the skirt, and left hanging.
To deck with a flounce or flounces; as, to flounce a petticoat or a frock.
"mordant": 1. Biting; caustic; sarcastic; keen; severe. 2. (Dyeing & Calico Printing) Serving to fix colors.
1. Any corroding substance used in etching. 2. (Dyeing & Calico Printing) Any substance, as alum or copperas, which, having a twofold attraction for organic fibers and coloring matter, serves as a bond of union, and thus gives fixity to, or bites in, the dyes. 3. (Gilding) Any sticky matter by which the gold leaf is made to adhere.
To subject to the action of, or imbue with, a mordant; as, to mordant goods for dyeing.
Difficulty: 16.54
Appears 8 times in book:
Sen 9346
Ameer
winced
and
grimaced
inventively,
but
he
didn’t
cry
out.
Sen 9938
He
winced,
but
I
didn’t
relax
the
grip.
Sen 12467
‘Oooooh!’
he
winced,
pursing
his
lips.
Sen 12477
‘Oooooh!’
he
winced
again,
hunching
his
shoulders.
Sen 13255
That
face
wrinkled
and
winced
as
he
stared
at
me.
17
haphazard
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Extra hazard; chance; accident; random. We take our principles at haphazard, upon trust. Locke.
Difficulty: 16.07
Appears 8 times in book:
Sen 555
The
haphazard
slouch
of
neglected
tenements
crumbled
into
lavish
displays
of
market
vegetables
and
silks.
Sen 2280
Stone
facades,
which
had
once
been
splendid
and
impressive,
were
crumbling,
grimed,
and
patched
with
haphazard
necessity.
Sen 2477
The
ground
was
paved
with
haphazard
collections
of
tiles
that
had
once
been
the
floors
of
kitchens
and
bathrooms.
Sen 4193
The
furniture
was
shoddy
and
thrown
together
in
haphazard
combinations,
however,
and
the
carpet
in
the
corridors
had
worn
through
to
shaggy
holes
in
many
places.
Sen 6234
When
Abdullah
took
us
into
the
plaited
traffic
once
more,
his
bike
weaving
a
haphazard
progress
through
the
threads
of
buses,
cars,
trucks,
bicycles,
bullock
wagons,
and
pedestrians,
he
called
over
his
shoulder
to
tell
me
that
Doctor
Hamid
had
once
lived
in
a
slum
himself.
18
nahin
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.74
Appears 7 times in book:
Sen 964
Ha
means
yes,
and
nahin
means
no,
and
pani
means
water,
and
khanna
means
foods,
and
—’
Sen 6747
‘Pani
nahin,’
Qasim
said.
Sen 7044
‘Takleef
nahin!’
one
of
the
bear-handlers
called
out.
Sen 9251
‘Nahin,
baba!’
Sen 14108
‘Riot
nahin,
morcha
hain.’
It’s
not
a
riot,
it’s
a
demonstration.
19
goonda
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.80
Appears 7 times in book:
Sen 6818
Come
on,
take
this
stick
of
yours,
and
beat
a
man
with
it,
you
cheap
goonda.’
Sen 7647
‘It’s
the
name
of
a
thief,
a
goonda.
Sen 9255
He’s
a
cheeky
fellow,
a
goonda.
Sen 18644
I
walked
the
goonda
walk,
and
in
three
languages
I
talked
the
talk.
Sen 18700
When
I
approached
Chandra
Mehta
for
help
in
organising
the
dancers,
two
weeks
before
Prabaker’s
wedding,
he’d
assumed
that
the
Prabaker
in
question
was
an
important
goonda
working
for
Khaderbhai.
20
aur
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.43
Appears 7 times in book:
Sen 1187
Ek
coffee
aur.
Sen 12999
‘Aur
dass!’
he
screamed.
Sen 26225
‘Saatch
aur
Himmat.’
I
spoke
it
aloud
for
them.
Sen 27661
‘Saatch
…
aur
himmat,’
he
said,
looking
each
man
in
the
eye.
Sen 27663
‘Saatch
aur
himmat,’
they
replied.
21
lamplight
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Light from a lamp. This world's artificial lamplights. Owen Meredith.
Difficulty: 17.01
Appears 7 times in book:
Sen 4949
By
the
yellow
flickering
lamplight
we
tended
to
the
wounded
slum-dwellers,
using
my
first-aid
kit
as
the
basis
of
our
little
open-air
clinic.
Sen 5404
I
found
books
on
diagnostic
medicine,
and
studied
them
by
lamplight
in
my
hut.
Sen 9151
As
I
turned
into
the
last
gully
where
my
own
empty
hut
waited,
I
saw
lamplight.
Sen 18666
A
cotton
sheet
strung
across
the
doorway
was
just
sheer
enough
in
the
golden
lamplight
to
reveal
thrillingly
indistinct
shadows,
inflaming
fierce
desires
in
many
of
those
who
crowded
outside,
where
I
stood
guard
and
kept
the
curious
at
bay.
Sen 25128
I
remembered
reading
Didier’s
letter
and
deciding,
in
that
shifting,
yellow
lamplight,
that
I
would
kill
Madame
Zhou.
22
beedies
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.01
Appears 7 times in book:
Sen 7871
She
took
a
bundle
of
beedies
from
her
pocket
and
lit
two
of
them
with
a
cigarette
lighter,
holding
the
small
cigarettes
in
one
hand
and
playing
the
flame
over
them
with
the
other.
Sen 8226
‘I
don’t
think
anyone
knows.’
She
took
out
two
beedies,
lit
them,
and
gave
me
one.
Sen 20883
I
took
two
beedies
from
a
pack,
lit
them
in
my
hand
with
the
play
of
a
match,
and
handed
one
to
him.
Sen 22201
Instead,
I
lit
two
beedies,
and
passed
one
to
him.
Sen 22262
I
lit
two
more
beedies,
not
for
the
need
of
them,
but
for
the
distraction
they
provided,
and
their
little
warmth.
23
haunches
prev
next
Definition (haunch)
Definition (haunch)
1. The hip; the projecting region of the lateral parts of the pelvis and the hip joint; the hind part. 2. Of meats: The leg and loin taken together; as, a haunch of venison. Haunch bone. See Innominate bone, under Innominate. -- Haunches of an arch (Arch.), the parts on each side of the crown of an arch. (See Crown, n., 11.) Each haunch may be considered as from one half to two thirds of the half arch.
"innominate": 1. Having no name; unnamed; as, an innominate person or place. [R.] Ray. 2. (Anat.) A term used in designating many parts otherwise unnamed; as, the innominate artery, a great branch of the arch of the aorta; the innominate vein, a great branch of the superior vena cava. Innominate bone (Anat.), the great bone which makes a lateral half of the pelvis in mammals; hip bone; haunch bone; huckle bone. It is composed of three bones, ilium, ischium, and pubis, consolidated into one in the adult, though separate in the fetus, as also in many adult reptiles and amphibians. -- Innominate contracts (Law), in the Roman law, contracts without a specific name.
Difficulty: 16.89
Appears 7 times in book:
Sen 2326
I
tried
to
help
the
man
to
stand,
but
there
was
an
elderly
woman
who
squatted
on
her
haunches
there,
in
the
open
doorway,
and
she
slapped
at
my
hands,
warning
me
away.
Sen 3582
As
we
loaded
our
gear
and
climbed
into
the
back
of
the
cart,
Kishan
took
his
seat
on
the
yoke
attached
to
the
ox-bow,
raised
a
long
bamboo
stick
that
had
a
nail
driven
into
the
end
of
it,
and
moved
us
off
with
a
tremendous
blow
to
the
animal’s
haunches.
Sen 4961
I
blinked,
and
squinted,
and
realised
that
he
was
squatting
on
his
haunches,
with
his
elbows
on
his
knees,
and
his
face
cupped
in
his
hands.
Sen 9796
Nazeer
squatted
on
his
haunches
to
smoke
with
us.
Sen 12532
It
took
four
hours,
shuffling
forward
and
squatting
on
our
haunches,
and
they
left
me
till
last.
24
lungis
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A lingerer; a dull, drowsy fellow. [Obs.]
"lingerer": One who lingers. Guardian.
Difficulty: 16.69
Appears 7 times in book:
Sen 2170
They
shouted
instructions
to
the
crowd,
and
in
moments
a
wooden
cart
appeared,
pushed
by
bare-chested
men
wearing
only
singlets
and
short
lungis.
Sen 4576
Workmen,
wearing
faded
lungis,
stood
beside
men
in
traditional
dress
from
various
regions
of
India.
Sen 6907
After
they’d
scrubbed
themselves
clean
with
a
hot
bucket-bath,
and
dressed
in
new
lungis
and
clean,
white
singlets,
the
two
boys
stood
before
an
assembly
of
their
families,
friends,
and
neighbours.
Sen 8088
I’ve
got
one
pair
of
boots,
one
pair
of
jeans,
one
shirt,
two
T-shirts,
and
a
couple
of
lungis.
Sen 9675
In
my
hut
there
were
only
two
lungis,
which
I
wore
for
sleeping,
bathing,
or
for
when
I
washed
my
jeans.
25
paunch
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. (Anat.) The belly and its contents; the abdomen; also, the first stomach, or rumen, of ruminants. See Rumen. 2. (Naut.) A paunch mat; -- called also panch. 3. The thickened rim of a bell, struck by the clapper. Paunch mat (Naut.), a thick mat made of strands of rope, used to prevent the yard or rigging from chafing.
1. To pierce or rip the belly of; to eviscerate; to disembowel. Shak. 2. To stuff with food. [Obs.] Udall.
"panch": See Paunch.
"clapper": 1. A person who claps. 2. That which strikes or claps, as the tongue of a bell, or the piece of wood that strikes a mill hopper, etc. See Illust. of Bell. Clapper rail (Zoöl.), an Americam species of rail (Rallus scepitans).
A rabbit burrow. [Obs.]
"eviscerate": To take out the entrails of; to disembowel; to gut.
"disembowel": 1. To take or let out the bowels or interior parts of; to eviscerate. Soon after their death, they are disemboweled. Cook. Roaring floods and cataracts that sweep From disemboweled earth the virgin gold. Thomson. 2. To take or draw from the body, as the web of a spider. [R.] "Her disemboweled web." J. Philips.
"rumen": 1. (Anat.) The first stomach of ruminants; the paunch; the fardingbag. See Illust. below. 2. The cud of a ruminant.
Difficulty: 16.22
Appears 7 times in book:
Sen 2163
He
was
a
round-shouldered
man,
in
his
middle
forties,
wearing
a
grey,
cotton
safari
suit
that
had
been
tailored
to
accommodate
the
extravagant
boast
of
his
large
paunch.
Sen 3524
Kishan
Mango
Kharre
was
a
tiny
man,
shorter
even
than
Prabaker,
with
very
close-cropped
grey
hair,
a
short,
grey
moustache,
and
a
prominent
paunch
on
his
otherwise
slender
frame.
Sen 3565
He
still
held
the
shirt
up
to
his
chest,
exposing
the
round,
hairy
paunch.
Sen 4802
He
smiled
happily
and
shook
my
hand,
rubbing
vigorously
at
his
prominent
paunch
all
the
while.
Sen 9441
He
was
a
tall
man
with
a
prominent
paunch
and
a
large,
expressively
bristly
moustache,
tinged
with
grey.
26
sisterfucker
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.67
Appears 6 times in book:
Sen 12225
Now
get
in
the
fucking
jeep,
you
sisterfucker,
or
we’ll
beat
you
with
the
lathis,
and
then
put
you
in.’
Sen 12364
Next
room,
sisterfucker!
Sen 18858
You’re
speaking
like
a
regular
Bombay
sisterfucker.
Sen 20087
Go,
sisterfucker!
Sen 26738
‘Hey
white
sisterfucker,
can’t
you
see
the
taxi’s
empty?
27
dhal
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.98
Appears 6 times in book:
Sen 3789
After
the
shower,
and
a
delicious
meal
of
dhal,
rice,
and
homemade
flatbreads,
Prabaker
and
I
watched
as
his
parents
and
his
two
sisters
opened
their
presents.
Sen 3990
The
meal
usually
consisted
of
the
ubiquitous
roti,
spicy
lentil
dhal,
mango
chutney,
and
raw
onions,
served
with
lime
juice.
Sen 4204
They
were
dressed
in
dhotis
and
white
caps
like
the
farmers
in
Prabaker’s
village,
and
they
sat
on
the
floor
to
eat
a
hearty
meal
of
dhal,
rice,
and
roti.
Sen 6892
Joseph
was
given
rice
and
dhal.
Sen 11992
We
ate
chicken
byriani,
malai
kofta,
vegetable
korma,
rice,
curried
vegetables,
deep
fried
pieces
of
pumpkin,
potato,
onion,
and
cauliflower,
hot
buttered
naan
bread,
dhal,
papadams,
and
green
mango
chutney.
28
tola
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A weight of British India. The standard tola is equal to 180 grains.
Difficulty: 17.62
Appears 6 times in book:
Sen 410
I
can
get
it
one
tola,
one
kilo,
ten
kilos,
even
I
know
where
it
is
a
full
warehouse
…’
Sen 413
‘Just
it
happens
I
have
it
one
tola,
ten
grams,
the
best
Afghan
charras,
in
my
pocket.
Sen 912
But
now,
Linbaba,
with
this
money
from
selling
your
good
present
to
Mr.
Sanjay,
I
can
buy
two
bottles
of
very
bad
and
nicely
cheap
Indian
whisky,
to
enjoy,
and
plenty
of
money
left
for
one
nice
new
shirt,
red
colour,
one
tola
of
good
charras,
tickets
for
enjoying
air
condition
Hindi
picture,
and
two
days
of
foods.
Sen 973
‘Well,
now
I
am
telling
…
that
tola
charras,
the
one
I
was
selling
to
you
in
hotel
…’
Sen 976
The
really
price—the
friendship
price—is
only
fifty
rupees
for
one
tola
Afghani
charras.’
He
lifted
his
arms,
and
then
let
them
slap
down
at
his
thighs.
29
protruded
prev
next
Definition (protrude)
Definition (protrude)
1. To thrust forward; to drive or force along. Locke. 2. To thrust out, as through a narrow orifice or from confinement; to cause to come forth. When . . . Spring protrudes the bursting gems. Thomson.
To shoot out or forth; to be thrust forward; to extend beyond a limit; to project. The parts protrude beyond the skin. Bacon.
Difficulty: 17.60
Appears 6 times in book:
Sen 10763
A
piece
of
shinbone
on
one
leg
protruded
below
the
knee.
Sen 12672
As
we
approached,
a
prisoner
opened
a
valve
at
the
base
of
the
tank,
allowing
a
small
jet
of
water
to
escape
from
a
pipe
that
protruded
at
about
shin-height.
Sen 20642
In
a
few
moments
the
similarity
dissolved:
Mahmoud’s
eyes
protruded
a
little,
his
lips
were
less
full,
and
his
chin
was
pointed,
as
if
it
was
designed
to
hold
a
goatee
beard.
Sen 21887
One
bone
protruded
at
a
sickeningly
unnatural
angle,
but
it
remained
within
the
envelope
of
flesh,
and
nowhere
pierced
the
skin.
Sen 22823
One
thick
chunk
of
bone
protruded
from
the
lumpy
meat.
30
daru
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.19
Appears 6 times in book:
Sen 6716
When
the
rough,
home-brewed
alcohol,
known
as
daru,
was
produced,
he
instructed
Prabaker
and
Jeetendra
to
force
Joseph
to
drink.
Sen 6720
He
gulped
down
more
of
the
extremely
powerful
daru
and
then
tried
to
push
it
away,
saying
that
he’d
had
enough.
Sen 6822
He
shouted
for
water,
but
they
offered
him
only
the
daru
bottle.
Sen 6826
Daru
spilled
over
his
stubbled
chin,
and
ran
from
his
gaping
mouth.
Sen 6872
You
will
not
drink
even
one
drop
of
daru
or
beer
or
anything
but
water.
31
solicitous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Disposed to solicit; eager to obtain something desirable, or to avoid anything evil; concerned; anxious; careful. "Solicitous of my reputation." Dryden. "He was solicitous for his advice." Calerendon. Enjoy the present, whatsoever it be, and be not solicitous about the future. Jer. Taylor. The colonel had been intent upon other things, and not enough solicitous to finish the fortifications. Clarendon. -- So*lic"it*ous*ly, adv. -- So*lic"it*ous*ness, n.
"clarendon": A style of type having a narrow and heave face. It is made in all sizes. Note: This line is in nonpareil Clarendon.
Difficulty: 17.04
Appears 6 times in book:
Sen 3260
In
the
carriage
and
the
corridor
beyond,
the
other
passengers
were
similarly
respectful,
sharing,
and
solicitous
with
one
another.
Sen 7695
‘Sorry
for
problem,
Miss
Karla,’
Prabaker
apologised,
his
face
pinched
in
a
solicitous
frown.
Sen 10717
Tariq
embraced
him
in
a
solicitous
hug,
and
their
close
friendship
was
sealed.
Sen 11400
With
that
call
to
arms
from
Johnny
Cigar,
and
the
simple,
solicitous
gesture
from
Sita,
the
battle
began.
Sen 20192
In
the
weeks
that
followed
he
became
solicitous
and
even
tender-hearted
toward
me.
32
bewilderment
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The state of being bewildered. 2. A bewildering tangle or confusion. He . . . soon lost all traces of it amid bewilderment of tree trunks and underbrush. Hawthorne.
"bewildering": Causing bewilderment or great perplexity; as, bewildering difficulties. -- Be*wil"der*ing*ly, adv.
"underbrush": Shrubs, small trees, and the like, in a wood or forest, growing beneath large trees; undergrowth.
Difficulty: 16.66
Appears 6 times in book:
Sen 4238
I
stared
at
him
in
bewilderment.
Sen 7039
The
bewilderment
and
obvious
reluctance
on
my
face
drove
the
people
to
more
and
bigger
laughter.
Sen 9893
A
minute
later
we
were
outside,
on
the
street
beside
the
Nabila
Mosque,
boy
and
man
joined
tightly
at
the
hand
but
in
nothing
else
except
our
bewilderment
at
the
power
of
the
personality
that
had
pushed
us
together
against
our
wills.
Sen 13315
The
two
men
raised
their
palms,
and
exchanged
identical
expressions
of
bewilderment.
Sen 19282
‘What?’
I
asked,
looking
at
him
with
a
frown
that
was
angry
in
its
bewilderment.
33
solemnity
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. A rite or ceremony performed with religious reverence; religious or ritual ceremony; as, the solemnity of a funeral, a sacrament. Great was the cause; our old solemnities From no blind zeal or fond tradition rise, But saved from death, our Argives yearly pay These grateful honors to the god of day. Pope. 2. ceremony adapted to impress with awe. The forms and solemnities of the last judgment. Atterburry. 3. Ceremoniousness; impressiveness; seriousness; grave earnestness; formal dignity; gravity. With much glory and great solemnity. Chaucer. The statelines and gravity of the Spaniards shows itself in the solemnity of their language. Addison. These promises were often made with great solemnity and confirmed with an oath. J. Edwards. 4. Hence, affected gravity or seriousness. Solemnity 's a cover for a sot. Young. 5. Solemn state or feeling; awe or reverence; also, that which produces such a feeling; as, the solemnity of an audience; the solemnity of Westminster Abbey. 6. (Law) A solemn or formal observance; proceeding according to due form; the formality which is necessary to render a thing done valid.
"earnestness": The state or quality of being earnest; intentness; anxiety. An honest earnestness in the young man's manner. W. Irving.
"observance": 1. The act or practice of observing or noticing with attention; a heeding or keeping with care; performance; -- usually with a sense of strictness and fidelity; as, the observance of the Sabbath is general; the strict observance of duties. It is a custom More honored in the breach than the observance. Shak. 2. An act, ceremony, or rite, as of worship or respect; especially, a customary act or service of attention; a form; a practice; a rite; a custom. At dances These young folk kept their observances. Chaucer. Use all the observance of civility. Shak. Some represent to themselves the whole of religion as consisting in a few easy observances. Rogers. O I that wasted time to tend upon her, To compass her with sweet observances! Tennyson. 3. Servile attention; sycophancy. [Obs.] Salads and flesh, such as their haste could get, Served with observance. Chapman. This is not atheism, But court observance. Beau. & Fl. Syn. -- Observance, Observation. These words are discriminated by the two distinct senses of observe. To observe means (1) to keep strictly; as, to observe a fast day, and hence, observance denotes the keeping or heeding with strictness; (2) to consider attentively, or to remark; and hence, observation denotes either the act of observing, or some remark made as the result thereof. We do not say the observation of Sunday, though the word was formerly so used. The Pharisees were curious in external observances; the astronomers are curious in celestial observations. Love rigid honesty, And strict observance of impartial laws. Roscommon.
"sot": 1. A stupid person; a blockhead; a dull fellow; a dolt. [Obs.] outh. In Egypt oft has seen the sot bow down, And reverence some dOldham. 2. A person stupefied by excessive drinking; an habitual drunkard. "A brutal sot." Granville. Every sign That calls the staring sots to nasty wine. Roscommon.
Sottish; foolish; stupid; dull. [Obs.] "Rich, but sot." Marston.
To stupefy; to infatuate; to besot. [R.] I hate to see a brave, bold fellow sotted. Dryden.
To tipple to stupidity. [R.] Goldsmith.
"ceremoniousness": The quality, or practice, of being ceremonious.
Difficulty: 16.57
Appears 6 times in book:
Sen 5767
Khaderbhai
also
took
a
sugar
cube
and
sipped
his
tea
through
it,
endowing
the
little
custom
with
a
peculiar
dignity
and
solemnity,
as
in
fact
he
did
with
every
expression
and
even
the
most
casual
gesture.
Sen 5945
He
said
it
with
such
solemnity,
despite
the
smile,
that
I
had
to
laugh.
Sen 9624
‘A
man
…’
he
began,
intoning
the
words
with
sacramental
solemnity.
Sen 18719
He
leapt
to
his
feet
and
danced
a
few
pumps
of
his
hip-thrusting
sexy
dance
before
the
solemnity
of
the
occasion
overwhelmed
him
once
more,
and
he
sat
down
with
his
bride.
Sen 20420
The
irony
was
that
we
were,
in
fact,
similarly
dour
and
serious
men,
but
his
grim
severity
was
so
stark
that
it
roused
me
from
my
own
solemnity,
and
provoked
a
childish,
prankish
desire
to
mock
him.
34
karo
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.51
Appears 6 times in book:
Sen 1188
Jaldi
karo!’
Sen 2072
‘Band
karo!’
Prabaker
shouted.
Sen 11896
Arre,
full
karo!’
Sen 15212
Band
karo!
Sen 15214
Band
karo!’
Now,
now!
35
prised
prev
next
Definition (pris)
Definition (pris)
See Price, and 1st Prize. [Obs.]
Difficulty: 16.50
Appears 6 times in book:
Sen 1252
The
whisky
arrived,
in
four
small
flasks,
and
the
waiter
prised
the
tops
off
two
soda
bottles
with
a
brass
bottle
opener
that
hung
from
a
chain
at
his
belt.
Sen 9891
Tariq
clung
to
him,
grabbing
his
hair,
and
had
to
be
prised
from
the
embrace
with
some
force.
Sen 10155
I
placed
the
ashtray
under
it
and
prised
it
loose,
letting
it
fall
from
her
hand
into
the
bowl.
Sen 12814
Holding
the
ribbed
seam
at
the
neck,
he
prised
it
apart
and
revealed
the
sheppesh
crawling
in
the
crease
at
the
seam.
Sen 18172
She
gently
prised
the
glass
from
Ulla’s
fingers,
and
gave
her
a
cigarette.
36
waggling
prev
next
Definition (waggle)
Definition (waggle)
To reel, sway, or move from side to side; to move with a wagging motion; to waddle. Why do you go nodding and waggling so L'Estrange.
To move frequently one way and the other; to wag; as, a bird waggles his tail.
Difficulty: 16.50
Appears 6 times in book:
Sen 3316
The
man
beamed
a
smile
at
me
so
huge
that
it
was
half
the
brilliance
of
Prabaker’s
own,
and
set
to
such
energetic
head
waggling
in
return
that
I
was,
at
first,
a
little
alarmed.
Sen 3360
By
the
time
the
bus
rolled
out
of
the
busy
terminal,
I
was
accepting
smiles
and
head-wiggles
from
every
man
in
sight,
and
waggling
and
wiggling
at
them
in
return.
Sen 3551
His
eyes
glittered
as
he
spoke
to
me,
waggling
his
head
all
the
while
in
what
seemed
to
be
an
unnervingly
seductive
leer.
Sen 4455
‘No,
no,
Lin,’
Prabaker
declined,
waggling
his
head.
Sen 8663
The
taxi
driver
greeted
them,
waggling
his
head
happily.
37
chided
prev
next
Definition (chide)
Definition (chide)
1. To rebuke; to reprove; to scold; to find fault with. Upbraided, chid, and rated at. Shak. 2. Fig.: To be noise about; to chafe against. The sea that chides the banks of England. Shak. To chide hither, chide from, or chide away, to cause to come, or to drive away, by scolding or reproof. Syn. -- To blame; rebuke; reprove; scold; censure; reproach; reprehend; reprimand.
1. To utter words of disapprobation and displeasure; to find fault; to contend angrily. Wherefore the people did chide with Moses. Ex. xvii. 2. 2. To make a clamorous noise; to chafe. As doth a rock againts the chiding flood. Shak.
A continuous noise or murmur. The chide of streams. Thomson.
"chafe": 1. To ecxite heat in by friction; to rub in order to stimulate and make warm. To rub her temples, and to chafe her skin. Spenser. 2. To excite passion or anger in; to fret; to irritate. Her intercession chafed him. Shak. 3. To fret and wear by rubbing; as, to chafe a cable. Two slips of parchment which she sewed round it to prevent its being chafed. Sir W. Scott. Syn. -- To rub; fret; gall; vex; excite; inflame.
To rub; to come together so as to wear by rubbing; to wear by friction. Made its great boughs chafe together. Longfellow. The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores. Shak. 2. To be worn by rubbing; as, a cable chafes. 3. To have a feeling of vexation; to be vexed; to fret; to be irritated. Spenser. He will chafe at the doctor's marrying my daughter. Shak.
1. Heat excited by friction. 2. Injury or wear caused by friction. 3. Vexation; irritation of mind; rage. The cardinal in a chafe sent for him to Whitehall. Camden.
"reproof": 1. Refutation; confutation; contradiction. [Obs.] 2. An expression of blame or censure; especially, blame expressed to the face; censure for a fault; chiding; reproach. Those best can bear reproof who merit praise. Pope. Syn. -- Admonition; reprehension; chiding; reprimand; rebuke; censure; blame. See Admonition.
"disapprobation": The act of disapproving; mental condemnation of what is judged wrong, unsuitable, or inexpedient; feeling of censure. We have ever expressed the most unqualified disapprobation of all the steps. Burke.
"reprove": 1. To convince. [Obs.] When he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. John xvi. 9. 2. To disprove; to refute. [Obs.] Reprove my allegation, if you can. Shak. 3. To chide to the face as blameworthy; to accuse as guilty; to censure. What if thy son Prove disobedient, and, reproved, retort, "Wherefore didst thou beget me" Milton. 4. To express disapprobation of; as, to reprove faults. He neither reproved the ordinance of John, neither plainly condemned the fastings of the other men. Udall. Syn. -- To reprehend; chide; rebuke; scold; blame censure. -- Reprove, Rebuke, Reprimand. These words all signufy the expression of disapprobation. To reprove implies greater calmness and self-possession. To rebuke implies a more excited and personal feeling. A reproof may be administered long after the offience is committed, and is usually intended for the reformation of the offender; a rebuke is commonly given at the moment of the wrong, and is administered by way of punishment and condemnation. A reprimand proceeds from a person invested with authority, and is a formal and offiscial act. A child is reproved for his faults, and rebuked for his impudence. A military officer is reprimanded for neglect or violation of duty.
"reprehend": To reprove or reprimand with a view of restraining, checking, or preventing; to make charge of fault against; to disapprove of; to chide; to blame; to censure. Chaucer. Aristippus being reprehended of luxury by one that was not rich, for that he gave six crowns for a small fish. Bacon. Pardon me for reprehending thee. Shak. In which satire human vices, ignorance, and errors . . . are severely reprehended. Dryden. I nor advise nor reprehend the choice. J. Philips.
"clamorous": Speaking and repeating loud words; full of clamor; calling or demanding loudly or urgently; vociferous; noisy; bawling; loud; turbulent. "My young ones were clamorous for a morning's excursion." Southey. -- Clam"or*ous*ly, adv. -- Clam"or*ous*ness, n.
Difficulty: 16.08
Appears 6 times in book:
Sen 1175
‘You
didn’t
hear
a
word
we
said,’
she
chided.
Sen 2143
‘Looks
like
you
were
wrong,
Prabu,’
I
chided,
smiling
as
I
lit
a
cigarette
for
him.
Sen 2664
‘Your
sympathy
should
be
for
me,’
Ulla
chided.
Sen 8079
‘Hey
come
on!’
she
chided,
curling
her
lip
in
an
affable
smirk.
Sen 8842
‘Come
now,
Lin,’
Abdul
Ghani
chided.
38
dhoti
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.03
Appears 6 times in book:
Sen 3525
He
wore
the
white
cap,
cotton
kurtah
shirt,
and
dhoti
of
the
farmer
caste.
Sen 3526
The
dhoti
is
technically
described
as
a
loincloth,
but
the
term
robs
the
garment
of
its
serene
and
graceful
elegance.
Sen 3528
The
dhoti
itself
is
always
moving,
and
it
follows
the
human
contour
in
every
act
from
running
to
sitting
still.
Sen 3531
Gandhi
gave
the
dhoti
prominence
on
his
trips
to
Europe,
in
the
struggle
for
Indian
independence
from
England.
Sen 24123
A
short,
fat,
balding
man
in
a
white
singlet
and
dhoti
opened
the
door
and
thrust
out
his
hands
at
once
in
a
double
handshake.
39
hobbled
prev
next
Definition (hobble)
Definition (hobble)
1. To walk lame, bearing chiefly on one leg; to walk with a hitch or hop, or with crutches. The friar was hobbling the same way too. Dryden. 2. To move roughly or irregularly; -- said of style in writing. Prior. The hobbling versification, the mean diction. Jeffreys.
1. To fetter by tying the legs; to hopple; to clog. " They hobbled their horses." Dickens 2. To perplex; to embarrass.
1. An unequal gait; a limp; a halt; as, he has a hobble in his gait. Swift. 2. Same as Hopple. 3. Difficulty; perplexity; embarrassment. Waterton.
"versification": The act, art, or practice, of versifying, or making verses; the construction of poetry; metrical composition.
"perplex": 1. To involve; to entangle; to make intricate or complicated, and difficult to be unraveled or understood; as, to perplex one with doubts. No artful wildness to perplex the scene. Pope. What was thought obscure, perplexed, and too hard for our weak parts, will lie open to the understanding in a fair view. Locke. 2. To embarrass; to puzzle; to distract; to bewilder; to confuse; to trouble with ambiguity, suspense, or anxiety. "Perplexd beyond self- explication." Shak. We are perplexed, but not in despair. 2 Cor. iv. 8. We can distinguish no general truths, or at least shall be apt to perplex the mind. Locke. 3. To plague; to vex; to tormen. Glanvill. Syn. -- To entangle; involve; complicate; embarrass; puzzle; bewilder; confuse; distract. See Embarrass.
Intricate; difficult. [Obs.] Glanvill.
"hopple": 1. To impede by a hopple; to tie the feet of (a horse or a cow) loosely together; to hamper; to hobble; as, to hopple an unruly or straying horse. 2. Fig.: To entangle; to hamper. Dr. H. More.
A fetter for horses, or cattle, when turned out to graze; -- chiefly used in the plural.
"fetter": 1. A chain or shackle for the feet; a chain by which an animal is confined by the foot, either made fast or disabled from free and rapid motion; a bond; a shackle. [They] bound him with fetters of brass. Judg. xvi. 21. 2. Anything that confines or restrains; a restraint. Passion's too fierce to be in fetters bound. Dryden.
1. To put fetters upon; to shakle or confine the feet of with a chain; to bind. My heels are fettered, but my fist is free. Milton. 2. To reastrain from motion; to impose restrains on; to confine; to enchain; as, fettered by obligations. My conscience! thou art fettered More than my shanks and wrists. Shak.
"perplexity": The quality or state of being perplexed or puzzled; complication; intricacy; entanglement; distraction of mind through doubt or difficulty; embarrassment; bewilderment; doubt. By their own perplexities involved, They ravel more. Milton.
"irregularly": In an irregular manner.
Difficulty: 16.00
Appears 6 times in book:
Sen 5921
He
hobbled
away
as
the
singers
returned
to
the
stage.
Sen 6227
Abdullah
and
I
left
him,
and
waited
for
twenty
minutes
in
the
restaurant,
watching
through
a
large
window
as
poor
patients
hobbled
to
the
entrance
of
the
hospital,
and
rich
patients
were
delivered
in
taxis
and
private
cars.
Sen 6429
A
stern,
almost
severe
expression
burned
in
his
eyes,
while
the
lepers
hobbled
forward,
one
by
one,
and
tapped
their
leathery
stumps
or
the
blackened,
curled
claws
of
their
fingernails
to
my
feet.
Sen 6599
They
clasped
their
arms
around
one
another,
and
hobbled
away
on
three
legs.
Sen 13709
That
innocence
faltered
when
I
stumbled
from
the
Indian
prison:
my
smile,
no
less
than
my
footsteps,
hobbled
by
the
memory
of
the
leg-irons.
40
khel
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.08
Appears 5 times in book:
Sen 21434
With
our
senses
alert
for
menace
from
without
and
within,
we
travelled
by
night,
and
sometimes
by
day,
north
along
the
mountainous
border
towards
Pathaan
Khel.
Sen 21435
Near
the
khel,
or
village,
we
swung
north-north-west
into
deserted
mountainous
terrain
that
was
veined
with
cold,
fresh,
sweet-water
streams.
Sen 21437
We
trudged
between
Pathaan
Khel
and
Khairo
Thaana;
between
Humai
Khaarez
and
Haji
Aagha
Muhammad.
Sen 21534
When
all
the
tributes
were
exacted—Hajji
Mohammed
drove
a
hard
bargain,
demanding
and
receiving
Khader’s
own
horse
as
an
additional,
personal
gift—Khaderbhai,
Nazeer,
and
I
agreed
to
accompany
the
leader
to
his
khel.
Sen 21540
As
Khader,
Nazeer,
and
I
rode
away
from
the
temporary
camp
toward
the
khel,
the
sounds
of
singing
and
laughter
followed
us,
echo
chasing
playful
echo.
41
wavelets
prev
next
Definition (wavelet)
Definition (wavelet)
A little wave; a ripple.
Difficulty: 18.61
Appears 5 times in book:
Sen 4605
The
rapid
outward
rushes
of
air
sounded
like
wavelets
on
a
steep
shore.
Sen 11238
THE
ROCKY
CUSP
OF
COASTLINE
bordering
the
slum
began
in
mangrove
swamp,
at
its
left,
and
swept
through
deeper
water
around
a
long
new-moon
curve
of
white-crested
wavelets
to
Nariman
Point.
Sen 15334
Her
hips
rolled
and
swayed
in
time
to
the
running
wavelets
that
lapped
at
her
feet.
Sen 25581
Tourist
ferries
bound
for
the
caves
on
Elephanta
Island,
or
returning
to
shore,
rose
up
the
wavelets
and
rolled
over
them
in
proud,
practised
glissades.
Sen 27914
When
the
call
finally
went
out
for
us
to
gather
at
Haji
Ali,
I
rode
to
the
shrine
on
my
Enfield
bike,
and
walked
with
Abdullah
and
Mahmoud
Melbaaf
across
the
rippling
wavelets
of
the
bay.
42
lathi
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.16
Appears 5 times in book:
Sen 5377
They
were
armed
only
with
the
thin
bamboo
cane
known
as
the
lathi.
Sen 5381
And
although
they
struck
out
often
with
the
lathi,
savage
or
even
serious
beatings
were
rare—much
less
frequent
than
police
beatings
in
the
modern,
western
city
where
I’d
grown
up.
Sen 12652
Suddenly
there
was
a
stabbing
pain
at
my
ear
as
the
night
watch
overseer
swung
his
bamboo
lathi
against
my
head.
Sen 12890
A
snakeskin
pattern
of
lathi
bruises
covered
their
bare
arms
and
legs.
Sen 12932
With
all
the
stealth
that
malice
manufactures,
even
in
the
gross
and
clumsy,
Rahul
crept
up
behind
me
and
brought
his
lathi
down
on
my
left
upper
arm
with
bone-rattling
force.
43
lathis
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.16
Appears 5 times in book:
Sen 12225
Now
get
in
the
fucking
jeep,
you
sisterfucker,
or
we’ll
beat
you
with
the
lathis,
and
then
put
you
in.’
Sen 12259
Five
or
six
men
hit
my
spinning
body
as
hard
and
as
often
as
they
could,
cracking
their
cane
lathis
against
my
skin.
Sen 13028
They
hammered
at
me
with
the
bamboo
lathis
for
twenty
minutes
or
more.
Sen 14235
All
I
could
hear
was
the
lathis
ripping
into
me.’
Sen 27130
And
two
of
those
Wildlife-wallahs,
two
watchmen
on
duty,
they
got
very
upset
about
all
the
crying,
so
they
went
outside,
and
they
started
beating
Kano’s
blue
men
with
lathis.
44
cheerily
prev
next
Definition
Definition
In a cheery manner.
Difficulty: 17.98
Appears 5 times in book:
Sen 15029
‘Should
do
all
right
out
of
it,’
Gemini
said
cheerily.
Sen 20473
The
war
in
Afghanistan,
most
of
them
conjectured
cheerily,
had
a
few
good
years
left
in
it.
Sen 24818
‘She’s
great,
yaar,’
he
responded
cheerily,
taking
a
seat.
Sen 25386
‘We
must
be
a
bit
early,’
Salman
observed
cheerily,
and
I
flinched
as
I
forced
myself
into
the
moment
with
him.
Sen 26386
‘So
how
about
a
bite
to
eat
then?’
Gemini
suggested
cheerily.
45
vehemence
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The quality pr state of being vehement; impetuous force; impetuosity; violence; fury; as, the vehemence. 2. Violent ardor; great heat; animated fervor; as, the vehemence of love, anger, or other passions. I . . . tremble at his vehemence of temper. Addison.
"impetuosity": 1. The condition or quality of being impetuous; fury; violence. 2. Vehemence, or furiousnes of temper. Shak.
"vehement": 1. Acting with great force; furious; violent; impetuous; forcible; mighty; as, vehement wind; a vehement torrent; a vehement fire or heat. 2. Very ardent; very eager or urgent; very fervent; passionate; as, a vehement affection or passion. "Vehement instigation." Shak. "Vehement desire." Milton. Syn. -- Furious; violent; raging; impetuous; passionate; ardent; eager; hot; fervid; burning.
"ardor": 1. Heat, in a literal sense; as, the ardor of the sun's rays. 2. Warmth or heat of passion or affection; eagerness; zeal; as, he pursues study with ardor; the fought with ardor; martial ardor. 3. pl. Bright and effulgent spirits; seraphim. [Thus used by Milton.] Syn. -- Fervor; warmth; eagerness. See Fervor.
Difficulty: 17.69
Appears 5 times in book:
Sen 10501
Then,
his
body
rigid
with
the
vehemence
of
his
rage
and
courage,
the
little
boy
shrieked,
seized
a
lump
of
wood,
and
crashed
it
down
on
the
snout
of
the
black
dog.
Sen 14340
His
eyes
were
dark,
almost
black,
and
gleaming
with
the
vehemence
of
his
wilful
induration.
Sen 18987
‘See
my
eviction
from
their
point
of
view,’
Mehta
retorted,
with
such
vehemence
that
several
heads
turned
toward
him
from
other
tables.
Sen 22284
It
was
the
closest
he
ever
came
to
showing
anger
in
my
presence,
and
I
flinched
involuntarily
at
the
sudden
vehemence.
Sen 27617
I
wasn’t
sure
if
it
was
at
the
vehemence
of
my
tone
or
the
blunt
simplicity
of
the
Hindi
phrase.
46
enfolded
prev
next
Definition (enfold)
Definition (enfold)
To infold. See Infold.
"infold": 1. To wrap up or cover with folds; to envelop; to inwrap; to inclose; to involve. Gilded tombs do worms infold. Shak. Infold his limbs in bands. Blackmore. 2. To clasp with the arms; to embrace. Noble Banquo, . . . let me infold thee, And hold thee to my heart. Shak.
Difficulty: 16.96
Appears 5 times in book:
Sen 3838
Her
life
enfolded
mine
within
its
triumph
and
sorrow,
just
as
easily
as
her
red
shawl
sometimes
enswathed
a
crying
child
that
passed
the
doorway
of
her
house.
Sen 5074
And
some
time
during
the
course
of
that
love-song,
somewhere
in
the
landscape
of
the
slum-dwellers’
reassurances,
somehow
through
the
fact
of
our
survival,
their
world
enfolded
my
life
within
its
dreams,
as
gently
and
completely
as
a
swollen
tide
closes
over
a
stone
that
stands
upon
its
shore.
Sen 5401
Strange
and
troubled
as
my
life
was,
the
city
enfolded
it
within
the
millions
of
others
as
if
…
as
if
it
belonged
there,
no
less
than
any
other.
Sen 26689
Sometimes,
we
see
the
past
so
clearly,
and
read
the
legend
of
its
parts
with
such
acuity,
that
every
stitch
of
time
reveals
its
purpose,
and
a
kind
of
message
is
enfolded
in
it.
Sen 28504
And
then
I
knew
what
it
was,
that
emptiness:
there’s
a
name
for
it,
a
word
we
use
often,
without
realising
the
universe
of
peace
that’s
enfolded
in
it.
47
forecourt
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.81
Appears 5 times in book:
Sen 6550
Iqbal
held
impromptu
classes
every
afternoon
for
a
week
in
the
main
room
of
his
father’s
hut,
and
the
crowd
spilled
out
into
the
forecourt
to
share
in
his
precious
knowledge.
Sen 19417
No-one
in
the
forecourt
of
the
mosque
or
the
street
of
shops
could
tell
me
when
he’d
left,
or
when
he
might
return.
Sen 19700
I
suddenly
remembered
the
day
in
the
rain,
sailing
in
a
canoe
across
the
flooded
forecourt
of
the
Taj
Mahal
Hotel
and
beneath
the
booming,
resonant
dome
of
the
Gateway
Monument.
Sen 20750
I
was
still
thinking
of
that
first
night,
still
worried
by
the
questions
I
couldn’t
answer,
when
Khaled
and
I
came
upon
a
large
group
of
men,
hundreds
of
them,
sitting
cross-legged
on
the
tiles
of
a
wide
forecourt
adjacent
to
the
mosque.
Sen 25770
Once
through
the
glass
doors,
I
walked
down
the
marble
steps
and
across
the
wide
forecourt
of
the
Gateway
Monument
to
the
sea.
48
drawled
prev
next
Definition (drawl)
Definition (drawl)
To utter in a slow, lengthened tone.
To speak with slow and lingering utterance, from laziness, lack of spirit, affectation, etc. Theologians and moralists . . . talk mostly in a drawling and dreaming way about it. Landor.
A lengthened, slow monotonous utterance.
"affectation": 1. An attempt to assume or exhibit what is not natural or real; false display; artificial show. "An affectation of contempt." Macaulay. Affectation is an awkward and forced imitation of what should be genuine and easy, wanting the beauty that accompanies what is natural what is natural. Locke. 2. A striving after. [Obs.] Bp. Pearson. 3. Fondness; affection. [Obs.] Hooker.
"utterance": 1. The act of uttering. Specifically: -- (a) Sale by offering to the public. [Obs.] Bacon. (b) Putting in circulation; as, the utterance of false coin, or of forged notes. (c) Vocal expression; articulation; speech. At length gave utterance to these words. Milton. 2. Power or style of speaking; as, a good utterance. They . . . began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts ii. 4. O, how unlike To that large utterance of the early gods! Keats.
The last extremity; the end; death; outrance. [Obs.] Annibal forced those captives whom he had taken of our men to skirmish one against another to the utterance. Holland.
"drawling": The act of speaking with a drawl; a drawl. -- Drawl"ing*ly, adv. Bacon.
Difficulty: 16.70
Appears 5 times in book:
Sen 7320
‘Nobody’s
perfect,
as
Didier
would
say,’
she
drawled,
with
a
smirk
that
fluttered
just
short
of
a
smile.
Sen 10025
‘Assuming
you
can
handle
it,’
I
drawled,
grinning
in
spite
of
myself,
‘what’s
in
it
for
me?’
Sen 11527
‘Those
charm
school
lessons
are
paying
off,
I
see,’
she
drawled,
sounding
very
American.
Sen 27474
‘I’m
sure,
Salman,’
Amir
drawled,
running
his
hand
over
the
short,
grey
hair
on
his
blunt
head.
Sen 28256
‘The
second
best?’
she
drawled.
49
condescension
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The act of condescending; voluntary descent from one's rank or dignity in intercourse with an inferior; courtesy toward inferiors. It forbids pride . . . and commands humility, modesty, and condescension to others. Tillotson. Such a dignity and condescension . . . as are suitable to a superior nature. Addison. Syn. -- Complaisance; courtesy; affability.
"complaisance": Disposition to please or oblige; obliging compliance with the wishes of others; a deportment indicative of a desire to please; courtesy; civility. These [ladies] . . . are by the just complaisance and gallantry of our nation the most powerful part of our people. Addison. They strive with their own hearts and keep them down, In complaisance to all the fools in town. Young. Syn. -- Civility; courtesy; urbanity; suavity; affability; good breeding.
"affability": The quality of being affable; readiness to converse; courteousness in receiving others and in conversation; complaisant behavior. Affability is of a wonderful efficacy or power in procuring love. Elyot
Difficulty: 16.58
Appears 5 times in book:
Sen 9759
He
looked
at
me
with
benign,
almost
affectionate
condescension.
Sen 12719
His
broad
expression,
a
parody
of
amused
condescension,
was
infuriating.
Sen 17581
That
style
was
two
parts
showman,
two
parts
flatterer,
and
one
part
philanderer,
combined
with
a
hint
of
mischief,
a
sniff
of
condescension,
and
a
pinch
of
contempt.
Sen 20292
The
horses
watched
us
with
that
peculiarly
equine
mix
of
white-eyed
timorousness
and
snorting
condescension.
Sen 20415
He
saw
the
condescension
behind
my
smile,
even
if
he
didn’t
understand
the
full
meaning
of
the
words.
50
downcast
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Cast downward; directed to the ground, from bashfulness, modesty, dejection, or guilt. 'T is love, said she; and then my downcast eyes, And guilty dumbness, witnessed my surprise. Dryden. - Down"cast`ly, adv. -- Down"cast`ness, n.
1. Downcast or melancholy look. That downcast of thine eye. Beau. & Fl. 2. (mining) A ventilating shaft down which the air passes in circulating through a mine.
"bashfulness": The quality of being bashful. Syn. -- Bashfulness, Modesty, Diffidence, Shyness. Modesty arises from a low estimate of ourselves; bashfulness is an abashment or agitation of the spirits at coming into contact with others; diffidence is produced by an undue degree of self-distrust; shyness usually arises from an excessive self-consciousness, and a painful impression that every one is looking at us. Modesty of deportment is becoming at all; bashfulness often gives rise to mistakes and blundering; diffidence is society frequently makes a man a burden to himself; shyness usually produces a reserve or distance which is often mistaken for haughtiness.
"dumbness": The quality or state of being dumb; muteness; silence; inability to speak.
"dejection": 1. A casting down; depression. [Obs. or Archaic] Hallywell. 2. The act of humbling or abasing one's self. Adoration implies submission and dejection. Bp. Pearson. 3. Lowness of spirits occasioned by grief or misfortune; mental depression; melancholy. What besides, Of sorrow, and dejection, and despair, Our frailty can sustain, thy tidings bring. Milton. 4. A low condition; weakness; inability. [R.] A dejection of appetite. Arbuthnot. 5. (Physiol.) (a) The discharge of excrement. (b) Fæces; excrement. Ray.
Difficulty: 16.33
Appears 5 times in book:
Sen 4099
The
almost
submerged
stick
was
his,
and
he
accepted,
with
shy
laughter
and
downcast
eyes,
the
good-natured
jeers
of
his
friends
and
the
sneers
of
the
older
men.
Sen 10817
The
mob,
swayed
by
my
eloquent
courage,
would
wander
away
from
the
scene
with
shamed
and
downcast
eyes.
Sen 20938
His
expression
was
sombre,
and
it
seemed
as
if
the
spirit
was
draining
invisibly
from
his
downcast
eyes
as
he
spoke.
Sen 22301
He
seemed
satisfied
with
my
reply,
but
his
expression
was
downcast
and
almost
grim.
Sen 27089
‘No,’
he
murmured,
his
eyes
still
downcast.
51
writhed
prev
next
Definition (writhe)
Definition (writhe)
1. To twist; to turn; now, usually, to twist or turn so as to distort; to wring. "With writhing [turning] of a pin." Chaucer. Then Satan first knew pain, And writhed him to and fro. Milton. Her mouth she writhed, her forehead taught to frown. Dryden. His battle-writhen arms, and mighty hands. Tennyson. 2. To wrest; to distort; to pervert. The reason which he yieldeth showeth the least part of his meaning to be that whereunto his words are writhed. Hooker. 3. To extort; to wring; to wrest. [R.] The nobility hesitated not to follow the example of their sovereign in writhing money from them by every species of oppression. Sir W. Scott.
To twist or contort the body; to be distorted; as, to writhe with agony. Also used figuratively. After every attempt, he felt that he had failed, and writhed with shame and vexation. Macaulay.
"contort": To twist, or twist together; to turn awry; to bend; to distort; to wrest. The vertebral arteries are variously contorted. Ray. Kant contorted the term category from the proper meaning of attributed. Sir W. Hamilton.
"vexation": 1. The act of vexing, or the state of being vexed; agitation; disquiet; trouble; irritation. Passions too violent . . . afford us nothing but vexation and pain. Sir W. Temple. Those who saw him after a defeat looked in vain for any trace of vexation. Macaulay. 2. The cause of trouble or disquiet; affliction. Your children were vexation to your youth. Shak. 3. A harassing by process of law; a vexing or troubling, as by a malicious suit. Bacon. Syn. -- Chagrin; agitation; mortification; uneasiness; trouble; grief; sorrow; distress. See Chagrin.
"wrest": 1. To turn; to twist; esp., to twist or extort by violence; to pull of force away by, or as if by, violent wringing or twisting. "The secret wrested from me." Milton. Our country's cause, That drew our swords, now secret wrests them from our hand. Addison. They instantly wrested the government out of the hands of Hastings. Macaulay. 2. To turn from truth; to twist from its natural or proper use or meaning by violence; to pervert; to distort. Wrest once the law to your authority. Shak. Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor. Ex. xxiii. 6. Their arts of wresting, corrupting, and false interpreting the holy text. South. 3. To tune with a wrest, or key. [Obs.]
1. The act of wresting; a wrench; a violent twist; hence, distortion; perversion. Hooker. 2. Active or moving power. [Obs.] Spenser. 3. A key to tune a stringed instrument of music. The minstrel . . . wore round his neck a silver chain, by which hung the wrest, or key, with which he tuned his harp. Sir W. Scott. 4. A partition in a water wheel, by which the form of the buckets is determined. Wrest pin (Piano Manuf.), one of the pins around which the ends of the wires are wound in a piano. Knight. -- Wrest plank (Piano Manuf.), the part in which the wrest pins are inserted.
"whereunto": Same as Whereto.
Difficulty: 16.28
Appears 5 times in book:
Sen 105
As
the
kilometres
wound
past,
as
the
hundreds
of
people
in
those
slums
became
thousands,
and
tens
of
thousands,
my
spirit
writhed.
Sen 995
Beneath
my
windows
the
street
that
had
writhed
and
toiled
in
daylight
was
silent,
subdued
by
a
night-sultriness,
moist
with
stars.
Sen 11510
While
she’d
writhed
and
thrashed
on
a
damp
earth
floor,
I’d
been
calling
down
to
room
service
to
order
more
ice-cream
and
crepes.
Sen 12159
Our
tongues
writhed,
and
slithered
in
their
caves
of
pleasure.
Sen 20047
Questions
writhed
in
my
shivering
mind,
hundreds
of
them,
but
the
cold
turkey
was
crippling
me.
52
hookah
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A pipe with a long, flexible stem, so arranged that the smoke is cooled by being made to pass through water.
Difficulty: 16.17
Appears 5 times in book:
Sen 5744
At
some
of
the
tables
there
were
hookah
pipes,
pearling
the
air
with
blue
smoke,
and
the
perfume
of
charras.
Sen 8878
Farid
rose
and
placed
a
huge,
ornate
hookah,
with
six
snaking
lines,
on
the
floor
between
us
next
to
the
table.
Sen 8879
He
passed
the
smoking
tubes
out,
and
squatted
next
to
the
hookah
with
several
matches
held
ready
to
strike.
Sen 8892
‘Now,
Mr.
Lin,’
Khaderbhai
said,
smiling
graciously
as
Farid
removed
the
hookah
and
set
about
cleaning
the
ash-filled
bowl.
Sen 9031
The
sense
of
well-being
bestowed
by
Khaderbhai’s
benignant
smile
was
as
intoxicating
as
the
heady
mixture
we’d
smoked
in
the
hookah
pipe.
53
brocade
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Silk stuff, woven with gold and silver threads, or ornamented with raised flowers, foliage, etc.; -- also applied to other stuffs thus wrought and enriched. A gala suit of faded brocade. W. Irving.
Difficulty: 16.13
Appears 5 times in book:
Sen 2642
Lettie
wore
a
fine,
bone-coloured
brocade
jacket
over
loose,
dark-brown
satin
culottes,
and
boots.
Sen 8562
For
a
moment
I
looked
at
the
marks,
the
curved
indentations
that
her
knees
had
made
in
the
brocade
cushion
beside
me
on
the
floor.
Sen 8726
I
kicked
off
my
shoes
at
the
doorway,
where
several
other
pairs
of
sandals
and
shoes
had
been
discarded,
and
sat
down
on
the
plush,
brocade
cushion
he’d
indicated.
Sen 13071
He
was
dressed
in
pyjamas
and
a
silk
brocade
dressing
gown.
Sen 18729
Vikram
wore
a
three-quarter-length
black
coat,
a
black-and-white
brocade
vest,
black
gaucho
pants
with
silver
piping,
and
his
beloved
hat.
54
ubiquitous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Existing or being everywhere, or in all places, at the same time; omnipresent. -- U*biq"ui*tous*ly, adv. In this sense is he ubiquitous. R. D. Hitchcock.
"omnipresent": Present in all places at the same time; ubiquitous; as, the omnipresent Jehovah. Prior.
Difficulty: 16.02
Appears 5 times in book:
Sen 3990
The
meal
usually
consisted
of
the
ubiquitous
roti,
spicy
lentil
dhal,
mango
chutney,
and
raw
onions,
served
with
lime
juice.
Sen 5051
A
stool
found
its
way
into
my
hut,
and
a
water
pot—the
ubiquitous
matka—and
a
set
of
saucepans,
and
a
few
pieces
of
cutlery.
Sen 7284
I
attended
to
them
one
by
one—rat
bites,
fever,
infected
rashes,
ringworm—chatting
with
each,
and
catching
up
on
the
gossip
that
constantly
swirled
through
the
lanes
and
gullies
like
the
ubiquitous
dust-devils.
Sen 8062
We
were
in
a
Bumblebee,
one
of
the
ubiquitous
black-and-yellow
Fiat
taxis,
travelling
south
through
the
Steel
Bazaar.
Sen 24567
The
wall
I’d
fallen
through
appeared
to
be
as
solid
as
all
the
others,
but
it
was
merely
a
plywood
screen
papered
over
with
her
ubiquitous
Compton
pattern.
55
shamiana
prev
next
Difficulty: 20.69
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 17511
Johnny
and
a
dozen
or
so
of
his
neighbours
were
erecting
the
frame
for
a
shamiana,
or
great
tent,
where
the
wedding
ceremonies
would
take
place.
Sen 22008
A
canvas
shamiana
in
camouflage
colours
provided
shelter
for
our
wounded
men.
Sen 22087
When
Khader
completed
his
prayers,
we
carried
Siddiqi’s
body
back
to
the
canvas
shamiana,
and
wrapped
it
in
cloth
until
the
rituals
of
burial
could
be
performed
on
the
following
day.
Sen 25441
We
climbed
the
white
marble
steps
at
the
Taj,
and
walked
through
to
the
Shamiana
Restaurant
on
the
ground
floor.
56
garad
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.77
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 1586
And
now
everyone,
all
the
poor
who
were
chandu
smokers,
they
have
become
garad
smokers.
Sen 1587
Rafiq
controls
the
garad,
the
brown
sugar.
Sen 26120
He’s
making
crores
out
of
the
fuckin’
garad,
man.
Sen 27978
And
Faisal
and
Amir,
they’re
running
the
garad.
57
baingan
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.61
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 2038
What
is
baingan
masala?
Sen 2041
What
is
it,
you’re
not
enjoying
eating
baingan?’
Sen 2043
Baingan
is
good
eating,
too!’
Sen 2044
‘I
don’t
like
it
baingan
so
much,’
he
sneered,
wrinkling
up
his
short
nose.
58
bejewelled
prev
next
Definition (bejewel)
Definition (bejewel)
To ornament with a jewel or with jewels; to spangle. "Bejeweled hands." Thackeray.
"spangle": 1. A small plate or boss of shining metal; something brilliant used as an ornament, especially when stitched on the dress. 2. Figuratively, any little thing that sparkless. "The rich spangles that adorn the sky." Waller. Oak spangle. See under Oak.
To set or sprinkle with, or as with, spangles; to adorn with small, distinct, brilliant bodies; as, a spangled breastplate. Donne. What stars do spangle heaven with such beauty Shak. Spangled coquette (Zoöl.), a tropical humming bird (Lophornis reginæ). See Coquette, 2.
To show brilliant spots or points; to glisten; to glitter. Some men by feigning words as dark as mine Make truth to spangle, and its rays to shine. Bunyan.
Difficulty: 18.01
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 1380
Indian
prostitutes,
garlanded
with
ropes
of
jasmine
flowers
and
plumply
wrapped
in
bejewelled
saris,
were
prohibited
downstairs,
and
only
accompanied
customers
to
the
upstairs
bar.
Sen 2291
The
women
were
more
conspicuously
bejewelled,
despite
the
indigence
of
the
quarter,
and
what
those
jewels
lacked
in
money’s
worth
was
found
in
the
extravagance
of
their
design.
Sen 2489
All
of
them
stared
out
at
the
well-fed,
well-clothed
purchasers
and
agents,
following
every
change
of
expression
or
emphatic
gesture
of
their
bejewelled
hands.
Sen 20657
The
spectacular
canopy
was
a
hundred
paces
across,
and
bejewelled
with
tiny,
polished
mirrors.
59
ahey
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Hey; ho.
Difficulty: 17.55
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 2421
‘Ah,
ah,
maza
nao
Lin
ahey,’
I
muttered,
uncertainly.
Sen 2426
‘Maza
Desh
New
Zealand
ahey.
Sen 2427
Ata
me
Colabala
rahella
ahey.’
My
country
is
New
Zealand.
Sen 3372
‘Maza
mitra
ahey,’
Prabaker
answered
with
contrived
nonchalance,
trying
in
vain
to
disguise
his
pride.
60
kaun
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.51
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 3370
‘Gora
kaun
hain?’
the
driver
asked,
when
we
climbed
aboard
the
step.
Sen 27727
‘Gora
kaun
hai?’
the
new
man
asked.
Sen 27734
‘Kaun
hai
turn?’
he
asked
in
an
almost
friendly
tone.
Sen 27752
‘Kaun
hai
turn?’
the
big
man
asked
again.
61
salwar
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.43
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 2697
She
wore
a
long-sleeved
Indian
salwar
top
that
reached
to
below
her
knees,
where
it
met
loose
trousers
in
the
same
olive
silk
fabric.
Sen 11519
She
wore
a
salwar
kameez—the
most
flattering
garment
in
the
world,
after
the
sari—in
two
shades
of
sea
green.
Sen 19544
She
was
wearing
a
red
salwar
kameez.
Sen 28091
She
was
wearing
a
long,
salwar
top
over
loose
pants.
62
tablas
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.39
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 5926
The
musicians
accompanying
the
singers
on
the
harmonium
and
the
tablas
were
animated,
but
the
singers
themselves
were
expressionless,
motionless,
with
their
eyes
closed
and
their
hands
limp.
Sen 16256
Sitting
together,
they
cradled
tablas,
cymbals,
flutes,
and
tambourines
in
their
laps.
Sen 16298
Their
voices
soared
over
the
blood-stirring
thump
of
the
tablas
and
the
wail
of
the
flutes.
Sen 20793
The
Blind
Singers
cleared
their
throats
noisily,
and
the
assembly
of
musicians
began
the
introduction
to
a
new
song
with
the
plaintive
wail
of
the
harmonium
and
the
blood-stirring
passion
of
the
tablas.
63
exultation
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The act of exulting; lively joy at success or victory, or at any advantage gained; rapturous delight; triumph. His bosom swelled with exultation. Prescott.
"rapturous": Ecstatic; transporting; ravishing; feeling, expressing, or manifesting rapture; as, rapturous joy, pleasure, or delight; rapturous applause.
"exulting": Rejoicing triumphantly or exceedingly; exultant. -- Ex*ult"ing*ly, adv.
Difficulty: 17.39
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 11221
That
look,
that
frowning
smile,
combined
shame
and
exultation
because
both
are
essential—shame
gives
exultation
its
purpose,
and
exultation
gives
shame
its
reward.
Sen 11221
That
look,
that
frowning
smile,
combined
shame
and
exultation
because
both
are
essential—shame
gives
exultation
its
purpose,
and
exultation
gives
shame
its
reward.
Sen 11221
That
look,
that
frowning
smile,
combined
shame
and
exultation
because
both
are
essential—shame
gives
exultation
its
purpose,
and
exultation
gives
shame
its
reward.
Sen 11222
We’d
saved
him
as
much
by
joining
in
his
exultation
as
we
had
by
witnessing
his
shame.
64
puzzlement
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The state of being puzzled; perplexity. Miss Mitford.
"perplexity": The quality or state of being perplexed or puzzled; complication; intricacy; entanglement; distraction of mind through doubt or difficulty; embarrassment; bewilderment; doubt. By their own perplexities involved, They ravel more. Milton.
Difficulty: 17.39
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 13024
His
slack-lipped,
cretinous
puzzlement
made
me
laugh
the
harder.
Sen 14020
‘You
really
think
so?’
he
asked,
frowning
his
puzzlement.
Sen 19587
‘That’s
right!’
she
answered
wonderingly
her
face
frowning
and
smiling
in
puzzlement.
Sen 27988
‘That’s
not
the
apology,
Lin,’
he
explained,
frowning
in
puzzlement.
65
reflexively
prev
next
Definition (reflexive)
Definition (reflexive)
1. Etym: [Cf. F. réflexif.] Bending or turned backward; reflective; having respect to something past. Assurance reflexive can not be a divine faith. Hammond. 2. Implying censure. [Obs.] "What man does not resent an ugly reflexive word" South. 3. (Gram.) Having for its direct object a pronoun which refers to the agent or subject as its antecedent; -- said of certain verbs; as, the witness perjured himself; I bethought myself. Applied also to pronouns of this class; reciprocal; reflective. -- Re*flex"ive*ly, adv. -- Re*flex"ive*ness, n.
In a reflex manner; reflectively.
"antecedent": 1. Going before in time; prior; anterior; preceding; as, an event antecedent to the Deluge; an antecedent cause. 2. Presumptive; as, an antecedent improbability. Syn. -- Prior; previous; foregoing.
1. That which goes before in time; that which precedes. South. The Homeric mythology, as well as the Homeric language, has surely its antecedents. Max Miller. 2. One who precedes or goes in front. [Obs.] My antecedent, or my gentleman usher. Massinger. 3. pl. The earlier events of one's life; previous principles, conduct, course, history. J. H. Newman. If the troops . . . prove worthy of their antecedents, the victory is surely ours. Gen. G. McClellan. 4. (Gram.) The noun to which a relative refers; as, in the sentence "Solomon was the prince who built the temple," prince is the antecedent of who. 5. (Logic) (a) The first or conditional part of a hypothetical proposition; as, If the earth is fixed, the sun must move. (b) The first of the two propositions which constitute an enthymeme or contracted syllogism; as, Every man is mortal; therefore the king must die. 6. (Math.) The first of the two terms of a ratio; the first or third of the four terms of a proportion. In the ratio a:b, a is the antecedent, and b the consequent.
"etym": See Etymon. H. F. Talbot.
"pronoun": A word used instead of a noun or name, to avoid the repetition of it. The personal pronouns in English are I, thou or you, he, she, it, we, ye, and they.
"bethought": imp. & p. p. of Bethink.
Difficulty: 17.29
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 6506
He
smiled
back
at
me,
reflexively
and
in
an
instant
of
unusual
clarity
I
saw
that,
for
him,
I
was
the
one
who
inspired
something
of
that
confidence:
as
Abdullah
was
to
me,
so
was
I
to
Prabaker.
Sen 9987
A
patch
of
her
blonde
pubic
hair
was
visible,
and
I
glimpsed
reflexively
over
my
shoulder
to
make
sure
that
the
boy
couldn’t
see
into
the
room.
Sen 12738
He
turned
on
his
heel,
and
struck
out
reflexively
at
the
nearest
man
crouching
in
the
ranks.
Sen 18473
Thinking
of
Prabaker’s
mighty
smile
always
made
me
smile
reflexively,
as
if
I
was
looking
at
a
happy,
healthy
baby.
66
himmat
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.25
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 26225
‘Saatch
aur
Himmat.’
I
spoke
it
aloud
for
them.
Sen 27661
‘Saatch
…
aur
himmat,’
he
said,
looking
each
man
in
the
eye.
Sen 27663
‘Saatch
aur
himmat,’
they
replied.
Sen 28078
‘Saatch
aur
himmat,’
Abdullah
called
out
as
I
rode
past
him.
67
palak
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.22
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 2029
Now
tell
me,
what
is
alu
palak?’
Sen 2030
‘Alu
palak
is
potato
and
spinach.’
Sen 2033
I
love
to
eat
it,
alu
palak.
Sen 7623
A
team
of
women
scooped
out
servings
of
saffron
rice,
alu
palak,
kheema,
bhajee,
and
other
foods.
68
alu
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.18
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 2029
Now
tell
me,
what
is
alu
palak?’
Sen 2030
‘Alu
palak
is
potato
and
spinach.’
Sen 2033
I
love
to
eat
it,
alu
palak.
Sen 7623
A
team
of
women
scooped
out
servings
of
saffron
rice,
alu
palak,
kheema,
bhajee,
and
other
foods.
69
sodden
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Boiled; seethed; also, soaked; heavy with moisture; saturated; as, sodden beef; sodden bread; sodden fields.
To be seethed; to become sodden.
To soak; to make heavy with water.
Difficulty: 16.84
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 11252
Sunlight
suddenly
pushed
aside
the
sodden
monsoon
clouds,
and
for
a
few
moments
the
windows
of
the
apartment
buildings
across
the
bay
were
dazzling,
brilliant
mirrors
of
the
golden
sun.
Sen 11507
That
celebration
seemed
vain
and
stupid
as
I
hurried
through
the
sodden
lanes
to
the
scores
who
were
sick.
Sen 21829
When
the
knife
left
her
throat,
the
blood
gushed
in
heart-thrusted
bursts
onto
her
chest
and
the
sodden
ground.
Sen 22109
Snow
fell
in
fitful
gusts
and
squalls
that
left
us
sodden
in
our
many-layered
patchwork
uniforms.
70
grizzled
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Gray; grayish; sprinkled or mixed with gray; of a mixed white and black. Grizzled hair flowing in elf locks. Sir W. Scott.
"grayish": Somewhat gray.
Difficulty: 16.79
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 8761
Sobhan
wagged
his
grizzled,
grey
head
at
me
in
greeting,
fixing
me
with
a
look
of
steely
enquiry,
perhaps
to
make
sure
that
I
understood
the
honour
implied
in
the
use
of
first
names.
Sen 9041
‘You
do
not
share
our
joy
at
the
speaking
of
English,
Sobhan
Uncle,’
Khaderbhai
said,
addressing
the
tough,
grizzled
older
man
on
his
right.
Sen 25465
They
were
the
new
blood,
the
new
mafia
dons,
the
new
lords
of
the
city:
Sanjay,
the
efficient
killer
with
the
movie-star
looks;
Andrew,
the
genial
Goan
who
dreamed
of
taking
his
seat
on
the
mafia
council;
Amir,
the
grizzled
veteran
with
the
story-teller’s
gift;
Faisal,
the
cold-hearted
enforcer
who
only
asked
one
question—Finger,
arm,
leg,
or
neck?—when
he
was
given
an
assignment;
Farid,
known
as
the
Fixer,
who
solved
problems
with
fire
and
fear,
and
who’d
raised
six
much
younger
brothers
and
sisters,
alone,
when
his
parents
died
in
a
cholera-infested
slum;
and
Salman,
the
quiet
one,
the
humble
one,
the
natural
leader,
who
controlled
the
lives
of
hundreds
in
the
little
empire
that
he’d
inherited
and
held
by
force.
Sen 27308
The
elderly
sculptor
raised
his
grizzled
brows
when
we
entered
his
hut,
but
affected
to
ignore
us
and
continued
with
the
work
of
sanding
and
polishing
a
newly
moulded
section
of
a
fibreglass
religious
frieze
almost
two
metres
in
length.
71
trudged
prev
next
Definition (trudge)
Definition (trudge)
To walk or march with labor; to jog along; to move wearily. And trudged to Rome upon my naked feet. Dryden.
"wearily": In a weary manner.
Difficulty: 16.70
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 312
Each
one
of
them
seized
a
bag,
suitcase,
or
backpack
and
trudged
off,
leading
his
party
into
the
flak-traffic
with
brisk
determination.
Sen 3465
We’d
passed
countless
fields
of
maize
and
banana
groves
in
the
last
hour
of
the
bus
ride,
and
then
on
foot
we
trudged
along
the
dirt
road
between
endless
rows
of
millet
plants.
Sen 21437
We
trudged
between
Pathaan
Khel
and
Khairo
Thaana;
between
Humai
Khaarez
and
Haji
Aagha
Muhammad.
Sen 22935
The
horse
trudged
through
the
snow
for
a
day
and
half
a
night
before
it
crumpled,
collapsed,
and
died
almost
three
kilometres
from
our
camp.
72
tottering
prev
next
Definition (totter)
Definition (totter)
1. To shake so as to threaten a fall; to vacillate; to be unsteady; to stagger; as,an old man totters with age. "As a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence." Ps. lxii. 3. 2. To shake; to reel; to lean; to waver. Troy nods from high, and totters to her fall. Dryden.
"vacillate": 1. To move one way and the other; to reel or stagger; to waver. [A spheroid] is always liable to shift and vacillatefrom one axis to another. Paley. 2. To fluctuate in mind or opinion; to be unsteady or inconstant; to waver. Syn. -- See Fluctuate.
Difficulty: 16.67
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 11206
Stumbling
and
tottering
on
his
platform
shoes,
he
skipped
to
the
centre
of
the
dancers.
Sen 12847
Not
a
few
men,
shuffling
uncertainly
on
thin,
tottering
legs,
talked
a
twitching
madness
to
themselves,
and
stumbled
into
the
walls
until
we
turned
them
gently
and
set
them
on
a
new
course.
Sen 20333
When
he
tried
to
speak
English,
the
words
came
out
in
awkward,
truncated
couplets,
top-heavy
with
meanings
and
tottering
on
small
feet
of
blunt
sense.
Sen 24027
I
tried
to
walk,
but
my
wounded
shins
refused
to
obey
me,
and
the
best
I
could
manage
was
a
tottering
shuffle.
73
taciturn
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Habitually silent; not given to converse; not apt to talk or speak. -- Tac"i*turn*ly, adv. Syn. -- Silent; reserved. Taciturn, Silent. Silent has reference to the act; taciturn, to the habit. A man may be silent from circumstances; he is taciturn from disposition. The loquacious man is at times silent; one who is taciturn may now and then make an effort at conversation.
"loquacious": 1. Given to continual talking; talkative; garrulous. Loquacious, brawling, ever in the wrong. Dryden. 2. Speaking; expressive. [R.] J. Philips. 3. Apt to blab and disclose secrets. Syn. -- Garrulous; talkative. See Garrulous.
Difficulty: 16.66
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 1221
The
dark,
brooding,
undernourished
young
man
was
Modena,
a
dour
and
taciturn
Spaniard
who
did
black-market
business
with
French,
Italian,
and
African
tourists.
Sen 14936
He
accepted
my
taciturn
mood,
and
we
worked
through
the
strenuous
exercise-routine
in
silence.
Sen 18169
Modena,
tougher
than
anyone
knew
and
taciturn
to
the
end,
refused
to
tell
him
that
Ulla
was
hiding
in
an
adjoining
room,
only
footsteps
away,
with
all
the
money.
Sen 26558
Modena
had
been
one
of
the
most
taciturn
men
I’d
ever
known.
74
reddened
prev
next
Definition (redden)
Definition (redden)
To make red or somewhat red; to give a red color to.
To grow or become red; to blush. Appius reddens at each word you speak. Pope. He no sooner saw that her eye glistened and her cheek reddened than his obstinacy was at once subbued. Sir W. SCott.
Difficulty: 16.64
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 6230
Hamid
was
a
good
doctor,
and
when,
after
an
hour
of
discussion,
I
looked
into
his
prematurely
lined
face,
the
eyes
burned
and
reddened
by
lack
of
sleep,
I
felt
shamed
by
his
honest
exhaustion.
Sen 8839
Although
I
had
nothing
whatsoever
to
do
with
Sapna
and
knew
almost
nothing
about
him,
my
face
reddened
with
that
special
guilty
blush
of
the
completely
innocent
man.
Sen 26660
And
as
his
eyes
reddened
and
simmered
into
tears
that
ran,
exactly,
in
the
channelling
scars
that
pierced
his
cheeks
I
held
the
stare,
and
nodded
my
head,
and
said
nothing
at
all.
Sen 28075
He
looked
up
quickly,
and
the
warmth
that
reddened
his
eyes
vied
with
a
grim
warning
clamped
in
the
bad-luck
horseshoe
of
his
mouth.
75
prise
prev
next
Definition
Definition
An enterprise. [Obs.] Spenser.
See Prize, n., 5. Also Prize, v. t.
Difficulty: 16.62
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 2129
I
reached
out
to
the
driver,
trying
to
prise
him
from
the
obstructing
rim
of
the
steering
wheel,
but
Prabaker’s
hands
were
on
me
again,
brutally
rough.
Sen 16377
It
took
me
five
minutes
to
calm
him
down,
and
even
then
I
had
to
invent
a
mission
for
him
—checking
for
the
Africans
at
the
hotels
he
knew
well—in
order
to
prise
him
from
my
side.
Sen 20281
He
climbed
down,
and
began
to
prise
my
boots
from
the
stirrups.
Sen 22603
I
tried
to
prise
the
gun
free
with
my
left
hand,
but
all
my
fingers
were
so
cramped
that
I
gave
it
up.
76
sanguine
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Having the color of blood; red. Of his complexion he was sanguine. Chaucer. Like to that sanguine flower inscribed with woe. Milton. 2. Characterized by abundance and active circulation of blood; as, a sanguine bodily temperament. 3. Warm; ardent; as, a sanguine temper. 4. Anticipating the best; not desponding; confident; full of hope; as, sanguine of success. Syn. -- Warm; ardent; lively; confident; hopeful.
1. Blood color; red. Spenser. 2. Anything of a blood-red, as cloth. [Obs.] In sanguine and in pes he clad was all. Chaucer. 3. (Min.) Bloodstone. 4. Red crayon. See the Note under Crayon, 1.
To stain with blood; to impart the color of blood to; to ensanguine.
In a sanguine manner. I can not speculate quite so sanguinely as he does. Burke.
"sanguinely": In a sanguine manner. I can not speculate quite so sanguinely as he does. Burke.
"ensanguine": To stain or cover with blood; to make bloody, or of a blood-red color; as, an ensanguined hue. "The ensanguined field." Milton.
"bloodstone": (a) A green siliceous stone sprinkled with red jasper, as if with blood; hence the name; -- called also heliotrope. (b) Hematite, an ore of iron yielding a blood red powder or "streak."
"pes": The distal segment of the hind limb of vertebrates, including the tarsus and foot.
Difficulty: 16.47
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 3869
She
smiled
back
at
him,
despite
herself,
and
felt
a
rush
of
well-being,
an
indefinable
but
overwhelmingly
sanguine
cheerfulness.
Sen 12099
And
I
did
like
Ulla:
she
was
beautiful,
and
she
was
just
naive
enough,
just
sanguine
enough
to
stop
sympathy
slipping
into
pity.
Sen 14051
Even
the
hard-nosed
taxi
lords
weren’t
immune
to
his
sanguine
charm.
Sen 16038
It
was
a
genial,
sanguine
meeting,
and
I
rose
to
leave
with
the
strength
and
confidence
that
those
honest,
simple,
decent
men
always
inspired
in
me.
77
judicious
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Of or relating to a court; judicial. [Obs.] His last offenses to us Shall have judicious hearing. Shak. 2. Directed or governed by sound judgment; having sound judgment; wise; prudent; sagacious; discreet. He is noble, wise, judicious, and best knows The fits o' the season. Shak. Syn. -- Prudent; discreet; rational; wise; skillful; discerning; sagacious; well-advised.
"sagacious": 1. Of quick sense perceptions; keen-scented; skilled in following a trail. Sagacious of his quarry from so far. Milton. 2. Hence, of quick intellectual perceptions; of keen penetration and judgment; discerning and judicious; knowing; far-sighted; shrewd; sage; wise; as, a sagacious man; a sagacious remark. Instinct . . . makes them, many times, sagacious above our apprehension. Dr. H. More. Only sagacious heads light on these observations, and reduce them into general propositions. Locke. Syn. -- See Shrewd. -- Sa*ga"cious*ly, adv. -- Sa-ga"cious*ness, n.
Difficulty: 16.46
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 3878
Judicious
investments
in
the
enterprises
of
her
neighbours
and
a
careful
husbanding
of
their
resources
ensured
that
their
losses
were
few.
Sen 5239
Everything,
from
judicious
caution
to
superstitious
terror,
screamed
at
me
not
to
go
out
there
again.
Sen 20453
The
army
secretly
supported
extremists
from
the
rival
groups
with
weapons,
money,
and
the
judicious
application
of
favours.
Sen 22886
In
all
his
deliberations,
the
Palestinian
was
intense
and
tireless
and
judicious,
to
the
point
of
being
solemn.
78
dwindled
prev
next
Definition (dwindle)
Definition (dwindle)
To diminish; to become less; to shrink; to waste or consume away; to become degenerate; to fall away. Weary sennights nine times nine Shall he dwindle, peak and pine. Shak. Religious societies, though begun with excellent intentions, are said to have dwindled into factious clubs. Swift.
1. To make less; to bring low. Our drooping days are dwindled down to naught. Thomson. 2. To break; to disperse. [R.] Clarendon.
The process of dwindling; dwindlement; decline; degeneracy. [R.] Johnson.
"clarendon": A style of type having a narrow and heave face. It is made in all sizes. Note: This line is in nonpareil Clarendon.
"dwindlement": The act or process of dwindling; a dwindling. [R.] Mrs. Oliphant.
"factious": 1. Given to faction; addicted to form parties and raise dissensions, in opposition to government or the common good; turbulent; seditious; prone to clamor against public measures or men; -- said of persons. Factious for the house of Lancaster. Shak. 2. Pertaining to faction; proceeding from faction; indicating, or characterized by, faction; -- said of acts or expressions; as, factious quarrels. Headlong zeal or factious fury. Burke. -- Fac"tious*ly, adv. -- Fac"tious-ness, n.
"degeneracy": 1. The act of becoming degenerate; a growing worse. Willful degeneracy from goodness. Tillotson. 2. The state of having become degenerate; decline in good qualities; deterioration; meanness. Degeneracy of spirit in a state of slavery. Addison. To recover mankind out of their universal corruption and degeneracy. S. Clarke.
Difficulty: 16.42
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 11234
As
the
music
dwindled
to
an
echo
in
our
minds,
the
day-to-day
and
minute-to-minute
of
slum
life
slowly
reclaimed
the
lanes.
Sen 11505
The
treatment
queue
that
had
begun
with
hundreds,
nine
months
before,
had
finally
dwindled
to
none.
Sen 12603
And
the
attack,
which
had
begun
with
frenzied
violence,
dwindled
to
fewer
blows
as
I
walked
the
gauntlet.
Sen 18494
And
the
music
dwindled
with
the
distance
until
it
was
as
faint
and
diminishable
as
any
moment
of
truth.
79
woollen
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.40
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 1190
In
defiance
of
the
humid
climate,
he
always
wore
baggy
canvas
trousers,
a
denim
shirt,
and
a
rumpled,
grey
woollen
sports
coat.
Sen 7086
Mixed
with
it
was
a
smell
like
new
leather
shoes,
and
the
smell
of
a
child’s
woollen
blanket.
Sen 10034
I
removed
it,
and
covered
him
with
a
light
woollen
shawl
that
was
hanging
from
a
set
of
hooks.
Sen 27669
‘Nothing,’
he
breathed,
his
voice
like
the
rustle
of
a
woollen
blanket.
80
consular
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Of or pertaining to a consul; performing the duties of a consul; as, consular power; consular dignity; consular officers.
Difficulty: 16.38
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 5390
A
six-lane
road
separated
the
seaside
path
from
a
horizon-wide,
incurving
crescent
of
affluence:
fine
homes,
expensive
apartments,
consular
offices,
first-class
restaurants,
and
hotels
that
looked
out
over
the
black
and
heaving
sea.
Sen 8174
They
declared
that
Gilbert
Parker
was
a
consular
under-secretary
at
the
embassy
of
the
United
States
of
America.
Sen 17448
But
they
couldn’t
obtain
the
visas
legally,
and
false
visas
were
impracticable
because
they
were
immediately
checked
against
the
consular
register.
Sen 20818
Madame
Zhou
had
punished
me
for
defying
her,
for
daring
to
challenge
her,
for
impersonating
an
American
consular
officer,
for
taking
Lisa
Carter
away
from
her
and,
yes,
perhaps
for
loving
Karla.
81
smouldering
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Being in a state of suppressed activity; quiet but not dead. Some evil chance Will make the smoldering scandal break and blaze. Tennyson.
Difficulty: 16.37
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 672
He
leaned
forward
and
took
up
a
length
of
smouldering
hemp
rope
that
was
hanging
from
a
hook
on
the
telegraph
pole,
next
to
the
cigarette
stall.
Sen 4929
A
woman
from
the
team
was
carrying
a
baby
they’d
rescued
from
the
smouldering
rubble.
Sen 11096
Parvati
watched
us
from
the
corners
of
her
smouldering
eyes.
Sen 22189
Reassured,
perhaps,
that
I
was
listening
to
him,
he
looked
back
to
the
smouldering
horizon,
and
spoke
again.
82
archway
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A way or passage under an arch.
Difficulty: 16.35
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 1315
The
quiet
Spaniard
left
the
table
without
a
word,
and
walked
toward
the
open
archway
that
led
to
the
street.
Sen 9917
Frustrated
and
wavering,
I
hesitated
at
the
large,
open
archway
of
the
mosque.
Sen 12302
They
helped
me
into
the
archway
of
the
first
open
cell-room,
and
eased
me
to
the
concrete
floor.
Sen 12556
He
pointed
toward
an
archway
that
led
into
the
prison’s
interior.
83
wearily
prev
next
Definition
Definition
In a weary manner.
Difficulty: 16.34
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 20207
Two
falls
later,
as
I
climbed
wearily
into
the
saddle,
I
heard
a
familiar
voice.
Sen 20877
‘Reading
is
still
something
mysterious,
in
the
country
of
my
birth,
and
the
cause
of
some
fear
and
much
superstition,’
Khader
said
wearily,
rubbing
a
hand
over
his
tired,
brown
face.
Sen 21168
‘There
is
no
man
who
knows
these
mountains,
and
the
region
between
here
and
Kandahar,
better
than
Habib,’
Khader
concluded,
sighing
wearily.
Sen 21967
Nazeer
led
several
horses
forward,
and
we
climbed
wearily
into
the
saddles.
84
agonising
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.32
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 13146
The
many
hundreds
of
small
and
large
cuts
that
I’d
sustained
on
the
day
and
the
night
of
the
beating
caused
me
agonising
pain.
Sen 21975
The
cramp
quickly
became
a
piercing
knot
of
pain;
and
the
more
that
I
tried
to
ignore
it,
the
more
agonising
it
felt.
Sen 23093
One
of
the
agonising
truths
for
a
battle
medic
is
that
you
pray
as
hard
and
almost
as
often
for
men
to
die
as
you
pray
for
them
to
live.
Sen 27816
He’d
missed
the
killing
blow,
a
direct
hit,
but
it
was
still
enough
to
make
me
curl
and
roll
over
in
agonising
pain.
85
upturned
prev
next
Definition (upturn)
Definition (upturn)
To turn up; to direct upward; to throw up; as, to upturn the ground in plowing. "A sea of upturned faces." D. Webster. So scented the grim feature, and upturned His nostril wide into the murky air. Milton.
Difficulty: 16.31
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 311
Prabaker
gestured
with
his
upturned
palm
to
those
touts
and
guides
who’d
managed
to
secure
customers
from
among
the
tourists.
Sen 3542
Prabaker
and
his
father
had
the
same
almost
perfectly
round
face
and
the
same
upturned,
button
nose.
Sen 12872
Sitting
in
circles
of
twelve
or
more
men,
and
tapping
on
their
upturned
aluminium
plates
as
if
they
were
tabla
drums,
the
prisoners
sang
love
songs
from
their
favourite
movies.
Sen 16466
They
leapt
over
the
upturned
bed
and
fell
on
him,
stomping
and
kicking
him
until
he
stopped
moving.
86
rasped
prev
next
Definition (rasp)
Definition (rasp)
1. To rub or file with a rasp; to rub or grate with a rough file; as, to rasp wood to make it smooth; to rasp bones to powder. 2. Hence, figuratively: To grate harshly upon; to offend by coarse or rough treatment or language; as, some sounds rasp the ear; his insults rasped my temper.
1. A coarse file, on which the cutting prominences are distinct points raised by the oblique stroke of a sharp punch, instead of lines raised by a chisel, as on the true file. 2. The raspberry. [Obs.] "Set sorrel amongst rasps, and the rasps will be smaller." Bacon. Rasp palm (Bot.), a Brazilian palm tree (Iriartea exorhiza) which has strong aërial roots like a screw pine. The roots have a hard, rough surface, and are used by the natives for graters and rasps, whence the common name.
"exorhiza": A plant Whose radicle is not inclosed or sheathed by the cotyledons or plumule. Gray.
"oblique": 1. Not erect or perpendicular; neither parallel to, nor at right angles from, the base; slanting; inclined. It has a direction oblique to that of the former motion. Cheyne. 2. Not straightforward; indirect; obscure; hence, disingenuous; underhand; perverse; sinister. The love we bear our friends... Hath in it certain oblique ends. Drayton. This mode of oblique research, when a more direct one is denied, we find to be the only one in our power. De Quincey. Then would be closed the restless, oblique eye. That looks for evil, like a treacherous spy. Wordworth. 3. Not direct in descent; not following the line of father and son; collateral. His natural affection in a direct line was strong, in an oblique but weak. Baker. Oblique angle, Oblique ascension, etc. See under Angle,Ascension, etc. -- Oblique arch (Arch.), an arch whose jambs are not at right angles with the face, and whose intrados is in consequence askew. -- Oblique bridge, a skew bridge. See under Bridge, n. -- Oblique case (Gram.), any case except the nominative. See Case, n. -- Oblique circle (Projection), a circle whose plane is oblique to the axis of the primitive plane. -- Oblique fire (Mil.), a fire the direction of which is not perpendicular to the line fired at. -- Oblique flank (Fort.), that part of the curtain whence the fire of the opposite bastion may be discovered. Wilhelm. -- Oblique leaf. (Bot.) (a) A leaf twisted or inclined from the normal position. (b) A leaf having one half different from the other. -- Oblique line (Geom.), a line that, meeting or tending to meet another, makes oblique angles with it. -- Oblique motion (Mus.), a kind of motion or progression in which one part ascends or descends, while the other prolongs or repeats the same tone, as in the accompanying example. -- Oblique muscle (Anat.), a muscle acting in a direction oblique to the mesial plane of the body, or to the associated muscles; -- applied especially to two muscles of the eyeball. -- Oblique narration. See Oblique speech. -- Oblique planes (Dialing), planes which decline from the zenith, or incline toward the horizon. -- Oblique sailing (Naut.), the movement of a ship when she sails upon some rhumb between the four cardinal points, making an oblique angle with the meridian. -- Oblique speech (Rhet.), speech which is quoted indirectly, or in a different person from that employed by the original speaker. -- Oblique sphere (Astron. & Geog.), the celestial or terrestrial sphere when its axis is oblique to the horizon of the place; or as it appears to an observer at any point on the earth except the poles and the equator. -- Oblique step (Mil.), a step in marching, by which the soldier, while advancing, gradually takes ground to the right or left at an angle of about 25º. It is not now practiced. Wilhelm. -- Oblique system of coördinates (Anal. Geom.), a system in which the coördinate axes are oblique to each other.
An oblique line.
1. To deviate from a perpendicular line; to move in an oblique direction. Projecting his person towards it in a line which obliqued from the bottom of his spine. Sir. W. Scott. 2. (Mil.) To march in a direction oblique to the line of the column or platoon; -- formerly accomplished by oblique steps, now by direct steps, the men half-facing either to the right or left.
Difficulty: 16.24
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 6117
‘No,
Linbaba,
not
about
that,’
he
rasped,
in
a
scratchy
whisper.
Sen 8000
‘What
the
fuck
ever
happened
to
good,
old,
meaningless
sex,
without
any
strings
attached?’
she
rasped,
her
lips
drawn
tightly
over
her
teeth.
Sen 8433
Her
voice
rasped
the
word
across
our
skin.
Sen 22738
‘It
should
have
been
donkeys,’
he
rasped.
87
furrows
prev
next
Definition (furrow)
Definition (furrow)
1. A trench in the earth made by, or as by, a plow. 2. Any trench, channel, or groove, as in wood or metal; a wrinkle on the face; as, the furrows of age. Farrow weed a weed which grows on plowed land. Shak. -- To draw a straight furrow, to live correctly; not to deviate from the right line of duty. Lowell.
1. To cut a furrow in; to make furrows in; to plow; as, to furrow the ground or sea. Shak. 2. To mark with channels or with wrinkles. Thou canst help time to furrow me with age. Shak. Fair cheeks were furrowed with hot tears. Byron.
Difficulty: 16.24
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 7449
Prabaker
and
I
laughed,
and
the
vaguely
suspicious
furrows
in
her
brow
deepened.
Sen 8906
Deep
suspicions
were
planted
in
the
furrows
of
his
frown.
Sen 17000
From
all
its
major
restaurants,
bars,
and
a
hundred
other
windows,
the
Sea
Rock
scanned
the
endlessly
shifting
peaks
and
furrows
of
the
Arabian
Sea.
Sen 22898
Seven
lines
and
ridges
like
planter’s
furrows
creased
his
broad,
high
brow.
88
cursory
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Running about; not stationary. [Obs.] 2. Characterized by haste; hastily or superficially performed; slight; superficial; careless. Events far too important to be treated in a cursory manner. Hallam.
Difficulty: 16.23
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 58
The
various
Indian
officials
assumed
that
I
was
travelling
with
that
relaxed
and
guileless
group,
and
gave
me
no
more
than
a
cursory
check.
Sen 6394
No-one
gave
it
more
than
a
cursory
glance.
Sen 17450
As
a
gora,
a
well-dressed
foreigner
of
European
appearance,
I
was
never
subjected
to
anything
but
a
cursory
examination.
Sen 19442
My
interactions
with
most
of
them
had
been
cursory,
it
seemed
to
me,
and
yet
I
missed
the
reassurance
of
their
presence
in
the
city
almost
as
much
as
I
missed
the
company
of
my
dead
friends.
89
plaintive
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Repining; complaining; lamenting. Dryden. 2. Expressive of sorrow or melancholy; mournful; sad. "The most plaintive ditty." Landor. -- Plain"tive*ly, adv. -- Plain"tive*ness, n.
Difficulty: 16.23
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 545
Every
kind
of
illness,
disability,
and
hardship
paraded
there,
stood
at
the
doorways
of
restaurants
and
shops,
or
approached
people
on
the
street
with
professionally
plaintive
cries.
Sen 12116
The
taxi
pulled
away,
and
she
called
out
with
a
plaintive
urgency
that
seemed
harsh
and
almost
hysterical
in
the
stillness
of
the
night.
Sen 13895
I
ordered
for
Didier,
and
let
my
thoughts
wander
while
we
listened
to
the
plaintive
screech
of
the
radio
announcer.
Sen 20793
The
Blind
Singers
cleared
their
throats
noisily,
and
the
assembly
of
musicians
began
the
introduction
to
a
new
song
with
the
plaintive
wail
of
the
harmonium
and
the
blood-stirring
passion
of
the
tablas.
90
exhilaration
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The act of enlivening the spirits; the act of making glad or cheerful; a gladdening. 2. The state of being enlivened or cheerful. Exhilaration hath some affinity with joy, though it be a much lighter motion. Bacon. Syn. -- Animation; joyousness; gladness; cheerfulness; gayety; hilarity; merriment; jollity.
"hilarity": Boisterous mirth; merriment; jollity. Goldsmith. Note: Hilarity differs from joy: the latter, excited by good news or prosperity, is an affection of the mind; the former, produced by social pleasure, drinking, etc., which rouse the animal spirits, is more demonstrative. Syn. -- Glee; cheerfulness; mirth; merriment; gayety; joyousness; exhilaration; joviality; jollity.
"gayety": 1. The state of being gay; merriment; mirth; acts or entertainments prompted by, or inspiring, merry delight; -- used often in the plural; as, the gayeties of the season. 2. Finery; show; as, the gayety of dress. Syn. -- Liveliness; mirth; animation; vivacity; glee; blithesomeness; sprightliness; jollity. See Liveliness.
"jollity": Noisy mirth; gayety; merriment; festivity; boisterous enjoyment. Chaucer. All now was turned to jollity and game. Milton. He with a proud jollity commanded him to leave that quarrel only for him, who was only worthy to enter into it. Sir P. Sidney. Syn. -- Merriment; mirth; gayety; festivity; hilarity.
"cheerfulness": Good spirits; a state of moderate joy or gayety; alacrity.
"gladness": State or quality of being glad; pleasure; joyful satisfaction; cheerfulness. They . . . did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart. Acts ii. 46. Note: Gladness is rarely or never equivalent to mirth, merriment, gayety, and triumph, and it usually expresses less than delight. It sometimes expresses great joy. The Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. Esther viii. 17.
Difficulty: 16.22
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 59
I
pushed
through
alone
to
the
slap
and
sting
of
sunlight
outside
the
airport,
intoxicated
with
the
exhilaration
of
escape:
another
wall
scaled,
another
border
crossed,
another
day
and
night
to
run
and
hide.
Sen 15861
The
heart-squeezing,
enlivening
exhilaration
of
it
was
so
powerful
that
it
wasn’t
until
an
hour
later,
when
we
entered
Abdul
Ghani’s
passport
workshop,
that
I
could
give
my
full
attention
to
the
man
and
the
moment
that
we
shared.
Sen 21068
That,
too,
was
a
night
of
wheeling
fears
and
exhilaration
and
dread.
Sen 23339
It
was
the
exhilaration
of
men
who
were
risking
everything,
risking
life
and
death,
on
one
throw
of
the
dice.
91
fidgeted
prev
next
Definition (fidget)
Definition (fidget)
To move uneasily one way and the other; to move irregularly, or by fits and starts. Moore.
1. Uneasiness; restlessness. Cowper. 2. pl. A general nervous restlessness, manifested by incessant changes of position; dysphoria. Dunglison.
"dysphoria": Impatience under affliction; morbid restlessness; dissatisfaction; the fidgets.
"uneasiness": 1. The quality or state of being uneasy; restlessness; disquietude; anxiety. 2. The quality of making uneasy; discomfort; as, the uneasiness of the road. [Obs.] Bp. Burnet.
"irregularly": In an irregular manner.
"uneasily": In an uneasy manner.
Difficulty: 16.20
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 8093
I
fidgeted
with
the
prickly
collar
of
the
shirt.
Sen 8314
Karla
fidgeted,
tossed
her
beedie
cigarette
out
of
the
open
window,
and
rifled
through
the
contents
of
her
patent-leather
shoulder
bag.
Sen 24399
Every
time
I
accelerated
away,
he
dragged
his
feet
on
the
road
and
fidgeted
for
several
seconds
until
he
found
the
footrests.
Sen 26482
‘I’m
sorry
for
running
away,’
he
said
quietly,
his
eyes
fixed
on
his
hands
as
they
fidgeted
in
his
lap.
92
emphasise
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.19
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 2552
He
leaned
slightly
forward
and
inclined
his
head
to
one
side,
his
black
curly
hair
shaking
as
if
to
emphasise
the
points
in
his
explanation.
Sen 4882
‘I
hate
these
fucking
fires!’
Johnny
cursed,
slamming
downward
with
a
wet
sack
to
emphasise
his
words.
Sen 21705
‘Remember,’
Khader
said
insistently,
resting
his
hand
on
my
forearm
to
emphasise
his
words.
Sen 24941
‘I’m
not
sure
he
wanted
that
from
the
start,’
Salman
Mustaan
interrupted,
shaking
his
head
at
his
close
friend
to
emphasise
his
point.
93
scrupulously
prev
next
Definition (scrupulous)
Definition (scrupulous)
1. Full ofscrupules; inclined to scruple; nicely doubtful; hesitating to determine or to act, from a fear of offending or of doing wrong. Abusing their liberty, to the offense of their weak brethren which were scrupulous. Hooker. 2. Careful; cautious; exact; nice; as, scrupulous abstinence from labor; scrupulous performance of duties. 3. Given to making objections; captious. [Obs.] Equality of two domestic powers Breed scrupulous faction. Shak. 4. Liable to be doubted; doubtful; nice. [Obs.] The justice of that cause ought to be evident; not obscrure, not scrupulous. Bacon. Syn. -- Cautious; careful; conscientious; hesitating. -- Scru"pu*lous*ly, adv. -- Scru"pu*lous*ness, n.
"scruple": 1. A weight of twenty grains; the third part of a dram. 2. Hence, a very small quantity; a particle. I will not bate thee a scruple. Shak. 3. Hesitation as to action from the difficulty of determining what is right or expedient; unwillingness, doubt, or hesitation proceeding from motives of conscience. He was made miserable by the conflict between his tastes and his scruples. Macaulay. To make scruple, to hesitate from conscientious motives; to scruple. Locke.
To be reluctant or to hesitate, as regards an action, on account of considerations of conscience or expedience. We are often over-precise, scrupling to say or do those things which lawfully we may. Fuller. Men scruple at the lawfulness of a set form of divine worship. South.
1. To regard with suspicion; to hesitate at; to question. Others long before them . . . scrupled more the books of hereties than of gentiles. Milton. 2. To excite scruples in; to cause to scruple. [R.] Letters which did still scruple many of them. E. Symmons.
"captious": 1. Art to catch at faults; disposed to find fault or to cavil; eager to object; difficult to please. A captius and suspicious. Stillingfleet. I am sensible I have not disposed my materials to adbide the test of a captious controversy. Bwike. 2. Fitted to harass, perplex, or insnare; insidious; troublesome. Captious restraints on navigation. Bancroft. Syn. -- Caviling, carping, fault-finding; censorious; hypercritical; peevish, fretful; perverse; troublesome. -- Captious, caviling, Carping. A captious person is one who has a fault-finding habit or manner, or is disposed to catch at faults, errors, etc., with quarrelsome intent; a caviling person is disposed to raise objections on frivolous grounds; carping implies that one is given to ill-natured, persistent, or unreasonable fault-finding, or picking up of the words or actions of others. Caviling is the carping of argument, carping the caviling of ill temper. C. J. Smith.
Difficulty: 16.17
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 1378
Leopold’s
was
an
unofficial
free
zone,
scrupulously
ignored
by
the
otherwise
efficient
officers
of
the
Colaba
police
station,
directly
across
the
busy
street.
Sen 2297
The
buildings
were
cracked
and
smeared,
the
constricted
passage-ways
were
crowded
with
goats,
chickens,
dogs,
and
people,
and
each
thin
face
showed
the
shade
and
hollows
of
penury,
but
the
streets
and
the
people
were
stainlessly,
scrupulously
clean.
Sen 22913
Face
to
face,
Afghan
men
were
generous,
friendly,
honest,
and
scrupulously
courteous
to
me.
Sen 27186
But
they
hadn’t
lived
in
those
miraculous
acres,
and
they
hadn’t
learned
that
to
survive
in
such
a
writhe
of
hope
and
sorrow
the
people
had
to
be
scrupulously
and
heartbreakingly
honest.
94
unfurled
prev
next
Definition (unfurl)
Definition (unfurl)
To loose from a furled state; to unfold; to expand; to open or spread; as, to unfurl sails; to unfurl a flag.
Difficulty: 16.14
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 2393
The
fine
dagger-line
of
his
moustache
accentuated
his
scowl,
and
he
looked
at
me
with
such
undiluted
loathing
that
a
little
prayer
unfurled
itself
in
my
mind.
Sen 17146
And
the
whole,
improbably
coherent
expression
of
love
and
life,
drama
and
comedy,
was
articulated
in
the
delicate,
unfurled
elegance
of
a
graceful
hand,
or
the
wink
of
a
seductive
eye.
Sen 19373
In
the
hut
he’d
once
shared
with
Parvati,
Prabaker’s
mother,
Rukhmabai,
unfurled
her
thigh-length
hair.
Sen 21476
It
was
the
perfect
place
for
an
ambush
and,
in
anticipation,
Khader
rode
at
the
head
of
our
column
with
his
green-and-white
banner
unfurled.
95
stirrup
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. A kind of ring, or bent piece of metal, wood, leather, or the like, horizontal in one part for receiving the foot of a rider, and attached by a strap to the saddle, -- used to assist a person in mounting a horse, and to enable him to sit steadily in riding, as well as to relieve him by supporting a part of the weight of the body. Our host upon his stirpoes stood anon. Chaucer. 2. (Carp. & Mach.) Any piece resembling in shape the stirrup of a saddle, and used as a support, clamp, etc. See Bridle iron. 3. (Naut.) A rope secured to a yard, with a thimble in its lower end for supporting a footrope. Totten. Stirrup bone (Anat.), the stapes. -- Stirrup cup, a parting cup taken after mounting. -- Stirrup iron, an iron stirrup. -- Stirrup leather, or Stirrup strap, the strap which attaches a stirrup to the saddle. See Stirrup, 1.
"stapes": The innermost of the ossicles of the ear; the stirrup, or stirrup bone; -- so called from its form. See Illust. of Ear.
"footrope": (a) The rope rigged below a yard, upon which men stand when reefing or furling; -- formerly called a horse. (b) That part of the boltrope to which the lower edge of a sail is sewed.
Difficulty: 16.14
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 21231
He
put
his
left
foot
in
his
stirrup
and
swung
into
the
saddle
with
an
effortless
spring.
Sen 21255
I
put
my
foot
in
the
stirrup
and
sprang
off
with
my
right
foot.
Sen 21976
Attempting
to
relieve
the
stress
on
my
hip,
I
took
my
right
foot
out
of
the
stirrup
and
tried
to
stretch
my
leg.
Sen 21978
Without
warning,
my
left
foot
gave
way
beneath
me
as
my
boot
slipped
from
the
stirrup,
and
I
felt
myself
falling
sideways
out
of
the
saddle
toward
the
deep,
hard
drop
to
the
stones.
96
itinerant
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Passing or traveling about a country; going or preaching on a circuit; wandering; not settled; as, an itinerant preacher; an itinerant peddler. The king's own courts were then itinerant, being kept in the king's palace, and removing with his household in those royal progresses which he continually made. Blackstone.
One who travels from place to place, particularly a preacher; one who is unsettled. Glad to turn itinerant, To stroll and teach from town to town. Hudibras.
Difficulty: 16.08
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 3271
And
in
truth,
the
politeness
and
consideration
shown
by
the
peasant
farmers,
travelling
salesmen,
itinerant
workers,
and
returning
sons
and
fathers
and
husbands
did
make
for
an
agreeable
journey,
despite
the
cramped
conditions
and
relentlessly
increasing
heat.
Sen 5360
Lunatics,
eccentrics,
and
itinerant
entertainers
such
as
musicians,
acrobats,
jugglers,
actors,
and
snake
charmers
were
occasionally
roughed
up,
but
they
were
invariably
excluded
from
the
round-up.
Sen 7466
Many
of
the
tradesmen
were
itinerant
workers
who
followed
where
their
skills
were
needed,
and
whose
real
homes
were
hundreds
of
kilometres
away
in
other
states.
Sen 27291
For
a
moment
I
felt
a
thrill
of
wonder
and
envy
that
the
little
community
of
neighbours
and
friends
worried
so
much
about
the
problems
of
two
itinerant
bear-handlers—and
the
bear,
of
course.
97
revulsion
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. A strong pulling or drawing back; withdrawal. "Revulsions and pullbacks." SSir T. Brovne. 2. A sudden reaction; a sudden and complete change; -- applied to the feelings. A sudden and violent revulsion of feeling, both in the Parliament and the country, followed. Macaulay. 3. (Med.) The act of turning or diverting any disease from one part of the body to another. It resembles derivation, but is usually applied to a more active form of counter irritation.
"derivation": 1. A leading or drawing off of water from a stream or source. [Obs.] T. Burnet. 2. The act of receiving anything from a source; the act of procuring an effect from a cause, means, or condition, as profits from capital, conclusions or opinions from evidence. As touching traditional communication, . . . I do not doubt but many of those truths have had the help of that derivation. Sir M. Hale. 3. The act of tracing origin or descent, as in grammar or genealogy; as, the derivation of a word from an Aryan root. 4. The state or method of being derived; the relation of origin when established or asserted. 5. That from which a thing is derived. 6. That which is derived; a derivative; a deduction. From the Euphrates into an artificial derivation of that river. Gibbon. 7. (Math.) The operation of deducing one function from another according to some fixed law, called the law of derivation, as the of differentiation or of integration. 8. (Med.) A drawing of humors or fluids from one part of the body to another, to relieve or lessen a morbid process.
Difficulty: 16.05
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 11046
‘Et
bien,
she
began
by
detesting
him
but,
through
the
persistence
of
his
devoted
romantic
attentions,
he
has
managed
to
arouse
in
her
what
I
can
only
describe
as
an
amiable
revulsion.’
Sen 12426
I’d
been
raised
in
a
family
of
Fabian
socialists,
and
I’d
inherited
their
stubborn,
impractical
revulsion
for
social
iniquity
in
all
its
forms.
Sen 18314
And
was
there
something
else
in
her
eyes:
was
it
revulsion,
or
was
it
more
terrible
than
that?
Sen 22583
He
stood
his
ground
a
moment
more,
and
I
could
feel
the
urge
to
take
the
gun
out
and
shoot
him:
an
urge
that
was
drowning
me
in
cold,
shivering
waves
of
revulsion
and
rage.
98
goaded
prev
next
Definition (goad)
Definition (goad)
A pointed instrument used to urge on a beast; hence, any necessity that urges or stimulates. The daily goad urging him to the daily toil. Macaulay.
To prick; to drive with a goad; hence, to urge forward, or to rouse by anything pungent, severe, irritating, or inflaming; to stimulate. That temptation that doth goad us on. Shak. Syn. -- To urge; stimulate; excite; arouse; irritate; incite; instigate.
Difficulty: 16.04
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 4071
Then,
with
Prabaker
leading
the
way,
the
crowd
of
villagers
goaded,
dragged,
and
pushed
me
toward
the
river.
Sen 10466
The
wild
howling
goaded
the
most
maddened
of
them
to
make
a
series
of
rushing
feints
from
several
directions.
Sen 21712
Even
the
right
things
that
I
did
were
too
often
goaded
by
the
wrong
reasons.
Sen 21855
The
gleam
in
his
eyes
goaded
me
for
another
heartbeat
of
vexation
and
I
almost
shouted
at
him,
but
then
I
saw
the
warmth
in
his
expression,
and
the
concern.
99
throbbed
prev
next
Definition (throb)
Definition (throb)
To beat, or pulsate, with more than usual force or rapidity; to beat in consequence of agitation; to palpitate; -- said of the heart, pulse, etc. My heart Throbs to know one thing. Shak. Here may his head lie on my throbbing breast. Shak.
A beat, or strong pulsation, as of the heart and arteries; a violent beating; a papitation: The IMPATIENT throbs and longings of a soul That pants and reaches after distant good. Addison.
"pulsation": 1. (Physiol.) A beating or throbbing, especially of the heart or of an artery, or in an inflamed part; a beat of the pulse. 2. A single beat or throb of a series. 3. A stroke or impulse by which some medium is affected, as in the propagation of sounds. 4. (Law) Any touching of another's body willfully or in anger. This constitutes battery. By the Cornelian law, pulsation as well as verberation is prohibited. Blackstone.
"pulsate": To throb, as a pulse; to beat, as the heart. The heart of a viper or frog will continue to pulsate long after it is taken from the body. E. Darwin.
"rapidity": The quality or state of being rapid; swiftness; celerity; velocity; as, the rapidity of growth or improvement. Syn. -- -- Rapidness; haste; speed; celerity; velocity; swiftness; fleetness; quickness; agility.
"palpitate": To beat rapidly and more strongly than usual; to throb; to bound with emotion or exertion; to pulsate violently; to flutter; -- said specifically of the heart when its action is abnormal, as from excitement.
Difficulty: 16.03
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 4596
The
Baba
standing
before
us
was
tall
and
lean,
but
his
legs
were
so
thickly
swollen
that
dreadful
ropes
of
distended
veins
throbbed
on
their
surfaces.
Sen 5052
As
evening
throbbed
in
a
scarlet
arch
of
sky,
we
sat
in
a
group,
near
my
hut,
to
eat
and
talk.
Sen 11552
I
did
need
help,
not
just
with
the
physical
work
of
nursing
the
people,
but
also
with
the
doubt
and
fear
and
shame
that
throbbed
in
my
throat
and
chest.
Sen 23868
Another
fierce
pain
throbbed
at
my
forehead.
100
sprawl
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. To spread and stretch the body or limbs carelessly in a horizontal position; to lie with the limbs stretched out ungracefully. 2. To spread irregularly, as vines, plants, or tress; to spread ungracefully, as chirography. 3. To move, when lying down, with awkward extension and motions of the limbs; to scramble in creeping. The birds were not fledged; but upon sprawling and struggling to get clear of the flame, down they tumbled. L'Estrange.
"chirography": 1. The art of writing or engrossing; handwriting; as, skilled in chirography. 2. The art of telling fortunes by examining the hand.
"tress": 1. A braid, knot, or curl, of hair; a ringlet. Her yellow hair was braided in a tress. Chaucer. Fair tresses man's imperial race insnare. Pope. 2. Fig.: A knot or festoon, as of flowers. Keats.
"irregularly": In an irregular manner.
Difficulty: 16.00
Appears 4 times in book:
Sen 100
Nothing
in
the
enormous
sprawl
of
it
rose
much
above
the
height
of
a
man.
Sen 6279
The
elastic
tolerance
of
slum-dwellers—who
accommodated
every
caste
and
race
and
condition
of
person
within
their
sprawl
of
huts—rarely
extended
to
lepers.
Sen 7478
The
sprawl
of
fragile
huts
spread
outward
like
a
shallow,
tender
root-system
for
the
huge
towers
that
were
to
come.
Sen 26092
And
the
informing
rate
in
the
areas
of
his
control,
the
amount
of
unsolicited
information
supplied
to
the
police—a
sure
indicator
of
public
popularity
or
displeasure—was
lower
than
in
any
other
area
across
the
whole
seething
sprawl
of
Bombay.
101
paapi
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.99
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 17624
‘The
movie’s
called
Paanch
Paapi,’
she
said.
Sen 17627
paapi,
not
papi.
Sen 17629
Paapi
means
thief,
and
papi
means
kiss.
102
vachan
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.77
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 6995
They
were
speaking
in
Hindi,
and
I
was
unfamiliar
with
the
word
vachan,
meaning
promise.
Sen 6998
Several
people
were
repeating
the
Hindi
word
vachan.
Sen 7013
But
there
is
a
vachan,
a
promise,
before
they
will
give
it
the
message.
103
cameleers
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.77
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 21485
Although
the
two-humped
Bactrian
camel
is
native
to
Afghanistan,
the
rider’s
was
a
single-humped
Arabian
camel;
the
type
bred
by
long
distance
cameleers
of
the
northern
Tajik
region
for
use
in
extremes
of
cold.
Sen 21567
That
group
of
Afghan
nomads,
cameleers,
sheep
and
goat
herders,
farmers,
and
guerrilla
fighters
lent
credibility
to
the
idea,
for
they
snored
so
thunderously
and
with
such
persistent
ferocity
through
the
long,
cold
night
that
they
would’ve
frightened
a
pride
of
ravenous
lions
into
scattering
like
startled
mice.
Sen 23168
Juma’s
Tajik
clans
of
cameleers
were
traditional
rivals
of
the
Mohmand
Hazarbuz
people
of
Hanif
and
Jalalaad
in
the
nomadic
transport
of
trade
goods.
104
feni
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.08
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 15297
He
insisted
that
we
finish
the
meal
with
a
long
glass
of
the
locally
brewed
coconut
feni,
and
followed
that
with
an
equally
long
glass
of
cashew
feni.
Sen 15297
He
insisted
that
we
finish
the
meal
with
a
long
glass
of
the
locally
brewed
coconut
feni,
and
followed
that
with
an
equally
long
glass
of
cashew
feni.
Sen 15311
There
was
a
bottle
of
coconut
feni
on
the
table,
with
two
glasses.
105
shirtsleeve
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.98
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 6113
We
took
a
few
steps,
but
Johnny
Cigar
came
after
us
and
tugged
at
my
shirtsleeve,
pulling
me
a
pace
or
two
behind
Abdullah.
Sen 27606
Pushing
between
us,
he
seized
Andrew
by
the
wrist
and
a
scruff
of
shirtsleeve.
Sen 28602
At
that
moment
I
felt
a
tug
at
my
shirtsleeve
and
I
turned
my
head
to
see
what
seemed
to
be
the
ghost
of
a
gigantic
smile
with
a
very
small
man
attached
to
it.
106
pattu
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.90
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 20789
Yes,
with
a
cap
to
cover
your
white
hair,
and
a
pattu,
a
shawl,
to
throw
over
your
broad
shoulders
and
chest.
Sen 23655
Habib’s
pattu
shawl
was
rucked
up
around
his
chest.
Sen 23992
‘Oh
yes,
yes,
he
pull
his
Kalashnikov
out
from
under
his
pattu
and
point
it
at
them.
107
pulao
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.61
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 16084
I
was
about
to
make
very
loud
noises
in
a
plate
of
Leopold’s
pulao.
Sen 16102
‘Well,
nobody
told
me
anything
about
it,’
I
complained,
still
thinking
of
the
delicious
pulao
at
Leopold’s.
Sen 21569
Those
dishes
included
flavoured
yoghurts,
piquant
goat’s
or
sheep’s
milk
cheeses,
oven-baked
cakes
made
with
corn
flour,
dates,
nuts,
and
wild
honey,
biscuits
baked
with
richly
churned
goat’s
milk
butter
and,
of
course,
a
variety
of
halal
meats
and
vegetable
pulao.
108
unselfconsciously
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.55
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 128
He
stretched,
yawned,
and
scratched
unselfconsciously
at
his
naked
belly.
Sen 7368
He
stood
close
to
Karla,
staring
unselfconsciously.
Sen 13132
Within
a
few
days,
I
walked
that
rolling,
shambling
dance
as
unselfconsciously
as
they
did.
109
mandrax
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.34
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 6516
With
my
help,
they
bought
four
kilos
of
charras
and
two
thousand
Mandrax
tablets.
Sen 13055
‘Your
mandrax
tablets,
sir,’
the
guard
said.
Sen 16500
They
were
muscle:
hit
men,
sent
by
a
gangster
in
Lagos
to
punish
me
for
a
major
heroin
and
Mandrax
tablet
deal
that
had
gone
wrong.
110
whorls
prev
next
Definition (whorl)
Definition (whorl)
1. (Bot.) A circle of two or more leaves, flowers, or other organs, about the same part or joint of a stem. 2. (Zoöl.) A volution, or turn, of the spire of a univalve shell. 3. (Spinning) The fly of a spindle.
"univalve": A shell consisting of one valve only; a mollusk whose shell is composed of a single piece, as the snails and conchs. Note: Most univalves are spiral and are the shells of gastropods, but many belong to cephalopods and pteropods. A large number of univalves belonging to the gastropods are conical, cup-shaped, or shieldlike, as the limpets.
Having one valve; as, a univalve shell or pericarp.
"volution": 1. A spiral turn or wreath. 2. (Zoöl.) A whorl of a spiral shell.
Difficulty: 18.20
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 12529
And
one
day
they
came
to
take
our
fingerprints,
pressing
the
black,
traitorous
loops
and
whorls
onto
a
page
that
promised
to
tell
a
truth,
a
vile
truth,
and
nothing
but
that
truth.
Sen 26457
The
skin,
when
it
closed
together,
had
fused
in
jagged
whorls
at
the
sides
but
not
at
all
in
the
centre,
where
the
laceration
was
too
deep.
Sen 27310
Wood
and
fibreglass
shavings
covered
the
table
and
lay
in
chips
and
whorls,
along
with
rinds
of
papier-måché,
at
his
bare
feet.
111
chapatti
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.05
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 12740
Breakfast
consisted
of
a
single,
large
chapatti.
Sen 12849
The
evening
meal,
served
at
four-thirty
with
the
addition
of
a
single
chapatti,
was
a
repetition
of
that
soup
of
the
day.
Sen 13141
I
was
living
on
a
palm-sized
piece
of
chapatti
bread
and
one
saucer
of
watery
soup
every
day.
112
gandu
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.98
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 25087
‘Fuckin’
gandu,’
Sanjay
growled,
using
the
slang
word
for
arsehole.
Sen 26134
‘If
it
comes
to
that,
I’ll
kill
the
gandu
for
you,
brother,
and
it
will
be
my
pleasure.
Sen 26252
Gandu!’
Sanjay
shouted.
113
burkha
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.95
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 20620
Those
longbeards
were
out
of
their
minds
at
the
way
the
Russians
were
changing
the
country—letting
women
work,
and
go
to
university,
and
get
around
in
public
without
the
full
burkha
covering.
Sen 27174
‘A
burkha.’
Sen 27190
The
blue-grey
burkha
covered
the
standing
bear
from
its
head
to
the
ground.
114
affability
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The quality of being affable; readiness to converse; courteousness in receiving others and in conversation; complaisant behavior. Affability is of a wonderful efficacy or power in procuring love. Elyot
"efficacy": Power to produce effects; operation or energy of an agent or force; production of the effect intended; as, the efficacy of medicine in counteracting disease; the efficacy of prayer. "Of noxious efficacy." Milton. Syn. -- Virtue; force; energy; potency; efficiency.
"complaisant": Desirous to please; courteous; obliging; compliant; as, a complaisant gentleman. There are to whom my satire seems too bold: Scarce to wise Peter complaisant enough. Pope. Syn. -- Obliging; courteous; affable; gracious; civil; polite; well-bred. See Obliging. -- Com"plai*sant`ly, adv. -- Com"plai*sant`ness, n.
"affable": 1. Easy to be spoken to or addressed; receiving others kindly and conversing with them in a free and friendly manner; courteous; sociable. An affable and courteous gentleman. Shak. His manners polite and affable. Macaulay. 2. Gracious; mild; benign. A serene and affable countenance. Tatler. Syn. -- Courteous; civil; complaisant; accessible; mild; benign; condescending.
"courteousness": The quality of being courteous; politeness; courtesy.
Difficulty: 17.91
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 2846
He
placed
a
hand
on
Karla’s
shoulder,
and
turned
to
the
rest
of
us
with
a
brilliant
smile
of
affability
and
charm.
Sen 10683
Then
a
door
opened
behind
us,
and
Ghani’s
round
face
dissolved
into
its
usual
mask
of
facetious
affability.
Sen 20558
We
shook
hands,
sizing
one
another
up
with
equal
candour
and
affability.
115
rivulets
prev
next
Definition (rivulet)
Definition (rivulet)
A small stream or brook; a streamlet. By fountain or by shady rivulet He sought them. Milton.
"streamlet": A small stream; a rivulet; a rill.
Difficulty: 17.85
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 8536
There
was
terrible
anguish
written
in
the
rivulets
of
those
tears
and
the
torment
that
creased
her
face.
Sen 11487
Because
so
much
rainwater
had
accumulated
in
puddles
and
rivulets
throughout
the
slum,
those
too
had
provided
breeding
grounds
for
the
bacteria.
Sen 12171
Sweat
ran
in
rivulets
to
ravines
of
pleasure.
116
quizzical
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Relating to quizzing: given to quizzing; of the nature of a quiz; farcical; sportive. -- Quiz"zic*al*ly, adv.
"sportive": Tending to, engaged in, or provocate of, sport; gay; froliscome; playful; merry. Is it I That drive thee from the sportive court Shak. -- Sport"ive*ly, adv. -- Sport"ive*ness, n.
"farcical": Pertaining to farce; appropriated to farce; ludicrous; unnatural; unreal. They deny the characters to be farcical, because they are Gay. -- Far"ci*cal*ly, adv. -Far"ci*cal*ness, n.
Of or pertaining to the disease called farcy. See Farcy, n.
Difficulty: 17.80
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 1861
She
smiled,
wrinkling
her
nose
in
a
quizzical
expression
that
might’ve
been
scornful
or
pleased.
Sen 11048
Didier
and
I
inspected
him
with
quizzical
looks
of
our
own.
Sen 17108
I
raised
one
eyebrow
unconsciously
in
a
quizzical
expression.
117
shambling
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Characterized by an awkward, irregular pace; as, a shambling trot; shambling legs.
An awkward, irregular gait.
Difficulty: 17.74
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 102
My
first
impression
was
that
some
catastrophe
had
taken
place,
and
that
the
slums
were
refugee
camps
for
the
shambling
survivors.
Sen 13132
Within
a
few
days,
I
walked
that
rolling,
shambling
dance
as
unselfconsciously
as
they
did.
Sen 21096
After
the
first
few
shambling
steps,
his
body
twitched
into
a
more
efficient
mode,
and
he
began
to
lope,
covering
the
thirty
metres
that
separated
us
in
long,
crouching,
feline
strides.
118
singlets
prev
next
Definition (singlet)
Definition (singlet)
An unlined or undyed waistcoat; a single garment; -- opposed to doublet. [Prov. Eng.]
"doublet": 1. Two of the same kind; a pair; a couple. 2. (Print.) A word or words unintentionally doubled or set up a second time. 3. A close-fitting garment for men, covering the body from the neck to the waist or a little below. It was worn in Western Europe from the 15th to the 17th century. 4. (Lapidary Work) A counterfeit gem, composed of two pieces of crystal, with a color them, and thus giving the appearance of a naturally colored gem. Also, a piece of paste or glass covered by a veneer of real stone. 5. (Opt.) An arrangement of two lenses for a microscope, designed to correct spherical aberration and chromatic dispersion, thus rendering the image of an object more clear and distinct. W. H. Wollaston. 6. pl. (See No. 1.) Two dice, each of which, when thrown, has the same number of spots on the face lying uppermost; as, to throw doublets. 7. pl. Etym: [Cf. Pr. doblier, dobler draughtboard.] A game somewhat like backgammon. Halliwell. 8. One of two or more words in the same language derived by different courses from the same original from; as, crypt and grot are doublets; also, guard and ward; yard and garden; abridge and abbreviate, etc.
Difficulty: 17.69
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 2170
They
shouted
instructions
to
the
crowd,
and
in
moments
a
wooden
cart
appeared,
pushed
by
bare-chested
men
wearing
only
singlets
and
short
lungis.
Sen 6907
After
they’d
scrubbed
themselves
clean
with
a
hot
bucket-bath,
and
dressed
in
new
lungis
and
clean,
white
singlets,
the
two
boys
stood
before
an
assembly
of
their
families,
friends,
and
neighbours.
Sen 14617
Three
fishermen
dressed
in
lungis
and
singlets
approached
us
shyly.
119
suffused
prev
next
Definition (suffuse)
Definition (suffuse)
To overspread, as with a fluid or tincture; to fill or cover, as with something fluid; as, eyes suffused with tears; cheeks suffused with blushes. When purple light shall next suffuse the skies. Pope.
"tincture": 1. A tinge or shade of color; a tint; as, a tincture of red. 2. (Her.) One of the metals, colors, or furs used in armory. Note: There are two metals: gold, called or, and represented in engraving by a white surface covered with small dots; and silver, called argent, and represented by a plain white surface. The colors and their representations are as follows: red, called gules, or a shading of vertical lines; blue, called azure, or horizontal lines; black, called sable, or horizontal and vertical lines crossing; green, called vert, or diagonal lines from dexter chief corner; purple, called purpure, or diagonal lines from sinister chief corner. The furs are ermine, ermines, erminois, pean, vair, counter vair, potent, and counter potent. See Illustration in Appendix. 3. The finer and more volatile parts of a substance, separated by a solvent; an extract of a part of the substance of a body communicated to the solvent. 4. (Med.) A solution (commonly colored) of medicinal substance in alcohol, usually more or less diluted; spirit containing medicinal substances in solution. Note: According to the United States Pharmacopoeia, the term tincture (also called alcoholic tincture, and spirituous tincture) is reserved for the alcoholic solutions of nonvolatile substances, alcoholic solutions of volatile substances being called spirits. Ethereal tincture, a solution of medicinal substance in ether. 5. A slight taste superadded to any substance; as, a tincture of orange peel. 6. A slight quality added to anything; a tinge; as, a tincture of French manners. All manners take a tincture from our own. Pope. Every man had a slight tincture of soldiership, and scarcely any man more than a slight tincture. Macaulay.
1. To communicate a slight foreign color to; to tinge; to impregnate with some extraneous matter. A little black paint will tincture and spoil twenty gay colors. I. Watts. 2. To imbue the mind of; to communicate a portion of anything foreign to; to tinge. The stain of habitual sin may thoroughly tincture all our soul. Barrow.
"overspread": To spread over; to cover; as, the deluge overspread the earth. Chaucer. Those nations of the North Which overspread the world. Drayton.
To be spread or scattered over.
Difficulty: 17.69
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 3867
It
was
radiant,
and
suffused
with
an
irrepressible
good
humour.
Sen 12179
The
still
and
softly
breathing
silence
that
suffused
and
submerged
us,
afterward,
was
emptied
of
need,
and
want,
and
hunger,
and
pain,
and
everything
else
except
the
pure,
ineffable
exquisiteness
of
love.
Sen 21715
I
remembered
Anand’s
face
smiling
at
me
through
the
metal
grille
of
the
visitor’s
room
at
Arthur
Road
Prison:
that
gentle,
handsome
face,
so
serene,
and
softened
with
the
peace
that
had
suffused
his
heart.
120
gazals
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.64
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 4268
Hindi
love
songs
jingled
beside
heart-breaking
gazals.
Sen 5792
‘Urdu
is
the
language
of
gazals,
and
these
are
the
best
gazal
singers
in
all
Bombay,’
he
replied.
Sen 20533
A
large
portable
radio
was
playing
romantic
gazals
in
Urdu.
121
scandalised
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.62
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 18633
Their
conversation
came
to
me
in
laughing
gasps
and
shrieks
as
they
scandalised
one
another
with
gossip
and
sardonic
commentaries
on
the
peculiar
habits
of
their
neighbours’
husbands.
Sen 18705
Some
of
the
thousands
of
neighbours
and
guests
at
the
slum
wedding
were
pleasantly
scandalised,
but
most
were
delighted
by
the
wickedness—Prabaker
and
Johnny
first
among
them.
Sen 23299
Although
they’d
been
scandalised
by
my
admissions
about
being
a
gunaa,
or
sinner,
and
being
imprisoned
as
a
criminal,
they’d
been
thrilled
by
the
account,
and
asked
many
questions
afterwards.
122
annotated
prev
next
Definition (annotate)
Definition (annotate)
To explain or criticize by notes; as, to annotate the works of Bacon.
To make notes or comments; -- with on or upon.
Difficulty: 17.47
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 10277
Some
of
them
were
culled
from
various
novels
and
other
texts,
each
one
attributed
to
the
respective
author
and
annotated
with
her
own
comments
and
criticisms.
Sen 10342
The
pages
were
dog-eared,
and
heavily
annotated
in
Karla’s
own
hand.
Sen 20870
And
so
it
was
that
I
rode
during
the
day,
acclimatising
myself
to
the
thinner
air
above
five
thousand
feet,
and
at
night
read
the
diaries
and
journals
of
long-dead
explorers,
extinct
editions
of
Greek
classics,
eccentrically
annotated
volumes
of
Shakespeare,
and
a
dizzyingly
passionate
terza
rima
translation
of
Dante’s
The
Divine
Comedy.
123
unbidden
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Not bidden; not commanded. Thorns also and thistles it shall bring thee forth Unbid; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field. Milton. 2. Uninvited; as, unbidden guests. Shak. 3. Being without a prayer. [Obs.] Spenser.
"bidden": of Bid.
"unbid": 1. Not bidden; not commanded. Thorns also and thistles it shall bring thee forth Unbid; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field. Milton. 2. Uninvited; as, unbidden guests. Shak. 3. Being without a prayer. [Obs.] Spenser.
Difficulty: 17.43
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 21916
He
had
a
special
talent
for
herding
the
unruly
goats,
and
I’d
often
seen
the
temperamental
creatures
following
him,
unbidden,
as
he
wandered
around
our
camp.
Sen 22614
A
clear
thought
came
to
me,
unbidden,
and
surging
in
my
mind
like
the
spoken
words
of
a
poem.
Sen 23305
The
words,
like
some
kind
of
desperate
prayer,
came
unbidden
from
my
heart.
124
deferential
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Expressing deference; accustomed to defer.
Difficulty: 17.41
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 321
He
spoke
with
deferential
amiability
to
the
two
Canadians.
Sen 1452
He
lifted
his
plump,
jovial
face
above
the
heads
of
his
friends
and
swept
the
room
from
right
to
left,
acknowledging
deferential
nods
and
friendly
smiles
from
a
number
of
acquaintances
at
other
tables.
Sen 3262
It
seemed
hypocritical
for
them
to
show
such
deferential
concern
over
a
nudge
with
a
foot
when,
minutes
before,
they’d
all
but
pushed
one
another
out
of
the
windows.
125
daubed
prev
next
Definition (daub)
Definition (daub)
1. To smear with soft, adhesive matter, as pitch, slime, mud, etc.; to plaster; to bedaub; to besmear. She took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch. Ex. ii. 3. 2. To paint in a coarse or unskillful manner. If a picture is daubed with many bright and glaring colors, the vulgar admire it is an excellent piece. I. Watts. A lame, imperfect piece, rudely daubed over. Dryden. 3. To cover with a specious or deceitful exterior; to disguise; to conceal. So smooth he daubed his vice with show of virtue. Shak. 4. To flatter excessively or glossy. [R.] I can safely say, however, that, without any daubing at all, I am very sincerely your very affectionate, humble servant. Smollett. 5. To put on without taste; to deck gaudily. [R.] Let him be daubed with lace. Dryden.
To smear; to play the flatterer. His conscience . . . will not daub nor flatter. South.
1. A viscous, sticky application; a spot smeared or dabed; a smear. 2. (Paint.) A picture coarsely executed. Did you . . . take a look at the grand picture . . . 'T is a melancholy daub, my lord. Sterne.
"daubing": 1. The act of one who daubs; that which is daubed. 2. A rough coat of mortar put upon a wall to give it the appearance of stone; rough-cast. 3. In currying, a mixture of fish oil and tallow worked into leather; -- called also dubbing. Knight.
"bedaub": To daub over; to besmear or soil with anything thick and dirty. Bedaub foul designs with a fair varnish. Barrow.
"viscous": Adhesive or sticky, and having a ropy or glutinous consistency; viscid; glutinous; clammy; tenacious; as, a viscous juice. -- Vis"cous*ness, n. Note: There is no well-defined distinction in meaning between viscous and viscid.
"besmear": To smear with any viscous, glutinous matter; to bedaub; to soil. Besmeared with precious balm. Spenser.
"coarsely": In a coarse manner; roughly; rudely; inelegantly; uncivilly; meanly.
"gaudily": In a gaudy manner. Guthrie.
"unskillful": 1. Not skillful; inexperienced; awkward; bungling; as, an unskillful surgeon or mechanic; an unskillful logician. 2. Lacking discernment; injudicious; ignorant. Though it make the unskillful laugh, can not but make the judicious grieve. Shak. -- Un*skill"ful*ly, adv. -- Un*skill"ful*ness, n.
"specious": 1. Presenting a pleasing appearance; pleasing in form or look; showy. Some [serpents] specious and beautiful to the eye. Bp. Richardson. The rest, far greater part, Will deem in outward rites and specious forms Religion satisfied. Milton. 2. Apparently right; superficially fair, just, or correct, but not so in reality; appearing well at first view; plausible; as, specious reasoning; a specious argument. Misled for a moment by the specious names of religion, liberty, and property. Macaulay. In consequence of their greater command of specious expression. J. Morley. Syn. -- Plausible; showy; ostensible; colorable; feasible. See Plausible. -- Spe"xious*ly, adv. -- Spe"cious*ness, n.
Difficulty: 17.30
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 14862
Someone
had
daubed
the
name
Sapna
on
a
grubby
wall
nearby.
Sen 15823
The
name
Sapna
was
daubed
on
the
walls
with
his
own
blood.
Sen 24595
The
daubed
cheeks
were
higher
than
the
bones
beneath
them.
126
maza
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.30
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 2421
‘Ah,
ah,
maza
nao
Lin
ahey,’
I
muttered,
uncertainly.
Sen 2426
‘Maza
Desh
New
Zealand
ahey.
Sen 3372
‘Maza
mitra
ahey,’
Prabaker
answered
with
contrived
nonchalance,
trying
in
vain
to
disguise
his
pride.
127
impish
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Having the qualities, or showing the characteristics, of an imp.
Difficulty: 17.05
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 940
He
glanced
at
me,
his
cheeks
appled
in
the
impish
grin
I
was
learning
to
recognise
as
the
clever
under-side
of
his
broad
and
gentle
smile.
Sen 3847
A
wide
gap
between
her
front
teeth
gave
an
impish
mischief
to
her
smile,
while
the
superb
hook
of
her
beaked
nose
endowed
her
serious
expressions
with
an
imposing
authority.
Sen 11049
He
responded
with
an
impish
smile,
but
I
noticed
that
his
eyes
darted
away
quickly
to
his
left.
128
handcarts
prev
next
Definition (handcart)
Definition (handcart)
A cart drawn or pushed by hand.
Difficulty: 17.00
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 539
Men
with
bullock
wagons
and
handcarts
wound
their
way
through
heavy
traffic
to
deliver
watermelons
and
sacks
of
rice,
soft
drinks
and
racks
of
clothes,
cigarettes
and
blocks
of
ice.
Sen 8064
Hundreds
of
wooden
handcarts,
longer
and
taller
and
wider
than
a
car
when
fully
laden,
trundled
along
between
buses
and
trucks,
pushed
by
barefoot
porters,
six
men
to
each
cart.
Sen 14578
Nearer
to
the
docks
we
threaded
our
way
through
crowds
of
men
pushing
handcarts,
and
women
carrying
baskets
on
their
heads,
all
bearing
crushed
ice
and
a
burden
of
fish.
129
endorphin
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.00
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 20092
Chief
among
them
is
the
endorphin
group.
Sen 20094
Anxiety
and
stress
and
pain
bring
on
the
endorphin
response
as
a
natural
coping
mechanism.
Sen 20096
When
we
stop
taking
opiates,
there’s
a
lag
of
between
five
and
fourteen
days
before
the
body
begins
a
new
endorphin
production
cycle.
130
equanimity
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Evenness of mind; that calm temper or firmness of mind which is not easily elated or depressed; patience; calmness; composure; as, to bear misfortunes with equanimity.
"firmness": The state or quality of being firm. Syn. -- Firmness, Constancy. Firmness belongs to the will, and constancy to the affections and principles; the former prevents us from yielding, and the latter from fluctuating. Without firmness a man has no character; "without constancy," says Addison, "there is neither love, friendship, nor virtue in the world."
"evenness": The state of being ven, level, or disturbed; smoothness; horizontal position; uniformity; impartiality; calmness; equanimity; appropriate place or level; as, evenness of surface, of a fluid at rest, of motion, of dealings, of temper, of condition. It had need be something extraordinary, that must warrant an ordinary person to rise higher than his own evenness. Jer. Taylor.
Difficulty: 16.99
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 5899
‘Perhaps
five,’
he
replied,
accepting
the
change
of
topic
with
tolerant
equanimity.
Sen 6488
I
knew
that
a
part
of
whatever
equanimity
I’d
managed
to
display,
perhaps
most
of
it,
had
really
been
his.
Sen 28601
Beings
of
such
lambent
compassion,
such
sublime
equanimity,
that
in
my
broken,
exiled
heart
I
pledged
to
love
them,
as
every
man
and
woman
who
saw
them
did.
131
sardonic
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Forced; unnatural; insincere; hence, derisive, mocking, malignant, or bitterly sarcastic; -- applied only to a laugh, smile, or some facial semblance of gayety. Where strained, sardonic smiles are glozing still, And grief is forced to laugh against her will. Sir H. Wotton. The scornful, ferocious, sardonic grin of a bloody ruffian. Burke. Sardonic grin or laugh, an old medical term for a spasmodic affection of the muscles of the face, giving it an appearance of laughter.
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a kind of linen made at Colchis.
"derisive": Expressing, serving for, or characterized by, derision. "Derisive taunts." Pope. -- De*ri"sive*ly, adv. -- De*ri"sive*ness, n.
"spasmodic": 1. (Med.) Of or pertaining to spasm; consisting in spasm; occuring in, or characterized by, spasms; as, a spasmodic asthma. 2. Soon relaxed or exhausted; convulsive; intermittent; as, spasmodic zeal or industry. Spasmodic croup (Med.), an affection of childhood characterized by a stoppage of brathing developed suddenly and without fever, and produced by spasmodic contraction of the vocal cords. It is sometimes fatal. Called also laryngismus stridulus, and childcrowing. -- Spasmodic stricture, a stricture caused by muscular spasm without structural change. See Organic stricture, under Organic.
A medicine for spasm.
"gayety": 1. The state of being gay; merriment; mirth; acts or entertainments prompted by, or inspiring, merry delight; -- used often in the plural; as, the gayeties of the season. 2. Finery; show; as, the gayety of dress. Syn. -- Liveliness; mirth; animation; vivacity; glee; blithesomeness; sprightliness; jollity. See Liveliness.
"scornful": 1. Full of scorn or contempt; contemptuous; disdainful. Scornful of winter's frost and summer's sun. Prior. Dart not scornful glances from those eyes. Shak. 2. Treated with scorn; exciting scorn. [Obs.] The scornful mark of every open eye. Shak. Syn. -- Contemptuous; disdainful; contumelious; reproachful; insolent. -- Scorn"ful*ly, adv. -- Scorn"ful*ness, n.
Difficulty: 16.99
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 7764
She
raised
one
eyebrow
in
the
familiar,
sardonic
half-smile.
Sen 18633
Their
conversation
came
to
me
in
laughing
gasps
and
shrieks
as
they
scandalised
one
another
with
gossip
and
sardonic
commentaries
on
the
peculiar
habits
of
their
neighbours’
husbands.
Sen 26868
Their
excitement,
enthusiasm,
ambition,
and
limitless
hope
for
the
future
so
delighted
everyone
in
the
Leopold’s
crowd
that
Kavita
and
Didier
felt
obliged
to
respond,
occasionally,
with
sardonic
sniping.
132
exasperation
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The act of exasperating or the state of being exasperated; irritation; keen or bitter anger. Extorted from him by the exasperation of his spirits. South. 2. Increase of violence or malignity; aggravation; exacerbation. "Exasperation of the fits." Sir H. Wotton.
"exacerbation": 1. The act rendering more violent or bitter; the state of being exacerbated or intensified in violence or malignity; as, exacerbation of passion. 2. (Med.) A periodical increase of violence in a disease, as in remittent or continious fever; an increased energy of diseased and painful action.
"malignity": 1. The state or quality of being malignant; disposition to do evil; virulent enmity; malignancy; malice; spite. 2. Virulence; deadly quality. His physicians discerned an invincible malignity in his disease. Hayward. 3. Extreme evilness of nature or influence; perniciousness; heinousness; as, the malignity of fraud. [R.] Syn. -- See Malice.
Difficulty: 16.95
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 3276
However,
when
I
surrendered
my
seat,
for
four
hours
of
the
journey,
to
an
elderly
man
with
a
shock
of
white
hair
and
spectacles
as
thick
as
the
lenses
on
an
army
scout’s
binoculars,
Prabaker
was
provoked
to
an
indignant
exasperation.
Sen 4068
‘Are
you
all
crazy?’
I
shouted,
in
exasperation.
Sen 13102
The
official
examined
his
gold
wristwatch
for
a
moment,
and
then
sighed
his
exasperation
loudly.
133
clambered
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next
Definition (clamber)
Definition (clamber)
To climb with difficulty, or with hands and feet; -- also used figuratively. The narrow street that clambered toward the mill. Tennyson.
The act of clambering. T. Moore.
To ascend by climbing with difficulty. Clambering the walls to eye him. Shak.
Difficulty: 16.93
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 2121
Suddenly,
he
clambered
over
the
seat
into
the
front
of
the
car
and
wrestled
the
passenger
door
open.
Sen 5307
I
clambered
over
the
bluestone
parapet,
and
took
hold
of
the
cord.
Sen 16253
I
jogged
along
beside
the
train,
and
clambered
up
the
outside
of
the
carriage
to
the
roof.
134
splayed
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next
Definition (splay)
Definition (splay)
1. To display; to spread. [Obs.] "Our ensigns splayed." Gascoigne. 2. To dislocate, as a shoulder bone. 3. To spay; to castrate. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] 4. To turn on one side; to render oblique; to slope or slant, as the side of a door, window, etc. Oxf. Gloss.
Displayed; spread out; turned outward; hence, flat; ungainly; as, splay shoulders. Sonwthing splay, something blunt-edged, unhandy, and infelicitous. M. Arnold.
A slope or bevel, especially of the sides of a door or window, by which the opening is made larged at one face of the wall than at the other, or larger at each of the faces than it is between them.
"bevel": 1. Any angle other than a right angle; the angle which one surface makes with another when they are not at right angles; the slant or inclination of such surface; as, to give a bevel to the edge of a table or a stone slab; the bevel of a piece of timber. 2. An instrument consisting of two rules or arms, jointed together at one end, and opening to any angle, for adjusting the surfaces of work to the same or a given inclination; -- called also a bevel square. Gwilt.
1. Having the slant of a bevel; slanting. 2. Hence: Morally distorted; not upright. [Poetic] I may be straight, though they themselves be bevel. Shak. A bevel angle, any angle other than one of 90º. -- Bevel wheel, a cogwheel whose working face is oblique to the axis. Knight.
To cut to a bevel angle; to slope the edge or surface of.
To deviate or incline from an angle of 90 Their houses are very ill built, the walls bevel. Swift.
"dislocate": To displace; to put out of its proper place. Especially, of a bone: To remove from its normal connections with a neighboring bone; to put out of joint; to move from its socket; to disjoint; as, to dislocate your bones. Shak. After some time the strata on all sides of the globe were dislocated. Woodward. And thus the archbishop's see, dislocated or out of joint for a time, was by the hands of his holiness set right again. Fuller.
Dislocated. Montgomery.
"oblique": 1. Not erect or perpendicular; neither parallel to, nor at right angles from, the base; slanting; inclined. It has a direction oblique to that of the former motion. Cheyne. 2. Not straightforward; indirect; obscure; hence, disingenuous; underhand; perverse; sinister. The love we bear our friends... Hath in it certain oblique ends. Drayton. This mode of oblique research, when a more direct one is denied, we find to be the only one in our power. De Quincey. Then would be closed the restless, oblique eye. That looks for evil, like a treacherous spy. Wordworth. 3. Not direct in descent; not following the line of father and son; collateral. His natural affection in a direct line was strong, in an oblique but weak. Baker. Oblique angle, Oblique ascension, etc. See under Angle,Ascension, etc. -- Oblique arch (Arch.), an arch whose jambs are not at right angles with the face, and whose intrados is in consequence askew. -- Oblique bridge, a skew bridge. See under Bridge, n. -- Oblique case (Gram.), any case except the nominative. See Case, n. -- Oblique circle (Projection), a circle whose plane is oblique to the axis of the primitive plane. -- Oblique fire (Mil.), a fire the direction of which is not perpendicular to the line fired at. -- Oblique flank (Fort.), that part of the curtain whence the fire of the opposite bastion may be discovered. Wilhelm. -- Oblique leaf. (Bot.) (a) A leaf twisted or inclined from the normal position. (b) A leaf having one half different from the other. -- Oblique line (Geom.), a line that, meeting or tending to meet another, makes oblique angles with it. -- Oblique motion (Mus.), a kind of motion or progression in which one part ascends or descends, while the other prolongs or repeats the same tone, as in the accompanying example. -- Oblique muscle (Anat.), a muscle acting in a direction oblique to the mesial plane of the body, or to the associated muscles; -- applied especially to two muscles of the eyeball. -- Oblique narration. See Oblique speech. -- Oblique planes (Dialing), planes which decline from the zenith, or incline toward the horizon. -- Oblique sailing (Naut.), the movement of a ship when she sails upon some rhumb between the four cardinal points, making an oblique angle with the meridian. -- Oblique speech (Rhet.), speech which is quoted indirectly, or in a different person from that employed by the original speaker. -- Oblique sphere (Astron. & Geog.), the celestial or terrestrial sphere when its axis is oblique to the horizon of the place; or as it appears to an observer at any point on the earth except the poles and the equator. -- Oblique step (Mil.), a step in marching, by which the soldier, while advancing, gradually takes ground to the right or left at an angle of about 25º. It is not now practiced. Wilhelm. -- Oblique system of coördinates (Anal. Geom.), a system in which the coördinate axes are oblique to each other.
An oblique line.
1. To deviate from a perpendicular line; to move in an oblique direction. Projecting his person towards it in a line which obliqued from the bottom of his spine. Sir. W. Scott. 2. (Mil.) To march in a direction oblique to the line of the column or platoon; -- formerly accomplished by oblique steps, now by direct steps, the men half-facing either to the right or left.
"ungainly": 1. Not gainly; not expert or dexterous; clumsy; awkward; uncouth; as, an ungainly strut in walking. His ungainly figure and eccentric manners. Macaulay. 2. Unsuitable; unprofitable. [Obs.] Hammond.
In an ungainly manner.
"infelicitous": Not felicitous; unhappy; unfortunate; not fortunate or appropriate in application; not well said, expressed, or done; as, an infelicitous condition; an infelicitous remark; an infelicitous description; infelicitous words.
"spay": To remove or extirpate the ovaries of, as a sow or a bitch; to castrate (a female animal).
The male of the red deer in his third year; a spade.
"unhandy": Clumsy; awkward; as, an Unhandy man.
Difficulty: 16.91
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 2206
His
arms
were
splayed
out
at
right
angles
to
his
body
and
held
fast.
Sen 9552
He
sat
with
his
broad
back
against
a
wall,
and
his
lower
legs
splayed
out
in
front
of
him.
Sen 12764
His
legs
were
splayed
out
at
an
excruciatingly
unnatural
angle.
135
hessian
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Definition
Definition
Of or relating to Hesse, in Germany, or to the Hessians. Hessian boots, or Hessians, boot of a kind worn in England, in the early part of the nineteenth century, tasseled in front. Thackeray. -- Hessian cloth, or Hessians, a coarse hempen cloth for sacking. -- Hessian crucible. See under Crucible. -- Hessian fly (Zoöl.), a small dipterous fly or midge (Cecidomyia destructor). Its larvæ live between the base of the lower leaves and the stalk of wheat, and are very destructive to young wheat; -- so called from the erroneous idea that it was brought into America by the Hessian troops, during the Revolution.
1. A native or inhabitant of Hesse. 2. A mercenary or venal person. [U. S.] Note: This use is a relic of the patriot hatred of the Hessian mercenaries who served with the British troops in the Revolutionary War. 3. pl. See Hessian boots and cloth, under Hessian, a.
"dipterous": 1. (Zoöl.) Having two wings, as certain insects; belonging to the order Diptera. 2. (Bot.) Having two wings; two-winged.
"destructor": A destroyer. [R.] Fire, the destructive and the artificial death of things. Boyle.
"venal": Of or pertaining to veins; venous; as, venal blood. [R.]
Capable of being bought or obtained for money or other valuable consideration; made matter of trade or barter; held for sale; salable; mercenary; purchasable; hireling; as, venal services. " Paid court to venal beauties." Macaulay. The venal cry and prepared vote of a passive senate. Burke. Syn. -- Mercenary; hireling; vendible. -- Venal, Mercenary. One is mercenary who is either actually a hireling (as, mercenary soldiers, a mercenary judge, etc.), or is governed by a sordid love of gain; hence, we speak of mercenary motives, a mercenary marriage, etc. Venal goes further, and supposes either an actual purchase, or a readiness to be purchased, which places a person or thing wholly in the power of the purchaser; as, a venal press. Brissot played ingeniously on the latter word in his celebrated saying, " My pen is venal that it may not be mercenary," meaning that he wrote books, and sold them to the publishers, in order to avoid the necessity of being the hireling of any political party. Thus needy wits a vile revenue made, And verse became a mercenary trade. Dryden. This verse be thine, my friend, nor thou refuse This, from no venal or ungrateful muse. Pope.
"hempen": 1. Made of hemp; as, a hempen cord. 2. Like hemp. "Beat into a hempen state." Cook.
"erroneous": 1. Wandering; straying; deviating from the right course; -- hence, irregular; unnatural. [Obs.] "Erroneous circulation." Arbuthnot. Stopped much of the erroneous light, which otherwise would have disturbed the vision. Sir I. Newman. 2. Misleading; misled; mistaking. [Obs.] An erroneous conscience commands us to do what we ought to omit. Jer. Taylor. 3. Containing error; not conformed to truth or justice; incorrect; false; mistaken; as, an erroneous doctrine; erroneous opinion, observation, deduction, view, etc. -- Er*ro"ne*ous*ly, adv. -- Er*ro"ne*ous*ness, n.
"inhabitant": 1. One who dwells or resides permanently in a place, as distinguished from a transient lodger or visitor; as, an inhabitant of a house, a town, a city, county, or state. "Frail inhabitants of earth." Cowper. In this place, they report that they saw inhabitants which were very fair and fat people. Abp. Abbot. 2. (Law) One who has a legal settlement in a town, city, or parish; a permanent resident.
"cecidomyia": A genus of small dipterous files, including several very injurious species, as the Hessian fly. See Hessian fly.
Difficulty: 16.90
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 7618
Straw
and
hessian
was
strewn
about
to
serve
as
bedding
for
the
goats,
chickens,
cats,
and
dogs
that
foraged
amid
discarded
food
scraps
and
rubbish
in
the
pen.
Sen 8047
One
said
she
possessed
a
fortune
in
precious
gems
that
she
kept
in
a
hessian
sack,
another
talked
with
authority
about
her
addiction
to
various
drugs,
and
a
third
whispered
of
satanic
rites
and
cannibalism.
Sen 18814
Rat-catchers
patrolled
the
corridors,
dragging
conspicuous
hessian
sacks
that
bulged
with
writhing,
fat
animals.
136
hurtled
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Definition (hurtle)
Definition (hurtle)
1. To meet with violence or shock; to clash; to jostle. Together hurtled both their steeds. Fairfax. 2. To move rapidly; to wheel or rush suddenly or with violence; to whirl round rapidly; to skirmish. Now hurtling round, advantage for to take. Spenser. Down the hurtling cataract of the ages. R. L. Stevenson. 3. To make a threatening sound, like the clash of arms; to make a sound as of confused clashing or confusion; to resound. The noise of battle hurtled in the air. Shak. The earthquake sound Hurtling 'death the solid ground. Mrs. Browning.
1. To move with violence or impetuosity; to whirl; to brandish. [Obs.] His harmful club he gan to hurtle high. Spenser. 2. To push; to jostle; to hurl. And he hurtleth with his horse adown. Chaucer.
"brandish": 1. To move or wave, as a weapon; to raise and move in various directions; to shake or flourish. The quivering lance which he brandished bright. Drake. 2. To play with; to flourish; as, to brandish syllogisms.
A flourish, as with a weapon, whip, etc. "Brandishes of the fan." Tailer.
"cataract": 1. A great fall of water over a precipice; a large waterfall. 2. (Surg.) An opacity of the crystalline lens, or of its capsule, which prevents the passage of the rays of light and impairs or destroys the sight. 3. (Mach.) A kind of hydraulic brake for regulating the action of pumping engines and other machines; -- sometimes called dashpot.
"resound": 1. To sound loudly; as, his voice resounded far. 2. To be filled with sound; to ring; as, the woods resound with song. 3. To be echoed; to be sent back, as sound. "Common fame . . . resounds back to them again." South. 4. To be mentioned much and loudly. Milton. 5. To echo or reverberate; to be resonant; as, the earth resounded with his praise.
1. To throw back, or return, the sound of; to echo; to reverberate. Albion's cliffs resound the rurPope. 2. To praise or celebrate with the voice, or the sound of instruments; to extol with sounds; to spread the fame of. The man for wisdom's various arts renowned, Long exercised in woes, O muse, resound. Pope. Syn. -- To echo; reëcho; reverberate; sound.
Return of sound; echo. Beaumont.
"adown": From a higher to a lower situation; downward; down, to or on the ground. [Archaic] "Thrice did she sink adown." Spenser.
Down. [Archaic & Poetic] Her hair adown her shoulders loosely lay displayed. Prior.
"jostle": To run against and shake; to push out of the way; to elbow; to hustle; to disturb by crowding; to crowd against. "Bullies jostled him." Macaulay. Systems of movement, physical, intellectual, and moral, which are perpetually jostling each other. I. Taylor.
To push; to crowd; to hustle. None jostle with him for the wall. Lamb.
A conflict by collisions; a crowding or bumping together; interference. The jostle of South African nationalities and civilization. The Nation.
"impetuosity": 1. The condition or quality of being impetuous; fury; violence. 2. Vehemence, or furiousnes of temper. Shak.
Difficulty: 16.85
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 2066
From
time
to
time
he
opened
his
door
and
leaned
out
over
the
road
to
spit
paan
juice,
taking
his
eyes
off
the
traffic
ahead
for
long
seconds
as
we
hurtled
along
in
the
rattling
cab.
Sen 18920
‘The
hotel!’
the
passenger
repeated,
and
the
yellow
Exocet
hurtled
back
along
the
winding
roads
once
more.
Sen 19158
We
hurtled
through
the
ponderously
slow
traffic,
riding
on
luck
and
instinct
just
as
Abdullah
might’ve
done.
137
dishevelled
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Definition (dishevel)
Definition (dishevel)
1. To suffer (the hair) to hang loosely or disorderly; to spread or throw (the hair) in disorder; -- used chiefly in the passive participle. With garments rent and hair disheveled, Wringing her hands and making piteous moan. Spenser. 2. To spread loosely or disorderly. Like the fair flower disheveled in the wind. Cowper.
To be spread in disorder or hang negligently, as the hair. [R.] Sir T. Herbert.
"wringing": a. & n. from Wring, v. Wringing machine, a wringer. See Wringer, 2.
"disheveled": 1. Having in loose disorder; disarranged; as, disheveled hair. 2. Having the hair in loose disorder. The dancing maidens are disheveled Mænads. J. A. Symonds.
"participle": 1. (Gram.) A part of speech partaking of the nature both verb and adjective; a form of a verb, or verbal adjective, modifying a noun, but taking the adjuncts of the verb from which it is derived. In the sentences: a letter is written; being asleep he did not hear; exhausted by toil he will sleep soundly, -- written, being, and exhaustedare participles. By a participle, [I understand] a verb in an adjectival aspect. Earle. Note: Present participles, called also imperfect, or incomplete, participles, end in -ing. Past participles, called also perfect, or complete, participles, for the most part end in -ed, -d, -t, -en, or -n. A participle when used merely as an attribute of a noun, without reference to time, is called an adjective, or a participial adjective; as, a written constitution; a rolling stone; the exhausted army. The verbal noun in -ing has the form of the present participle. See Verbal noun, under Verbal, a. 2. Anything that partakes of the nature of different things. [Obs.] The participles or confines between plants and living creatures. Bacon.
"negligently": In a negligent manner.
"piteous": 1. Pious; devout. [Obs.] The Lord can deliver piteous men from temptation. Wyclif. 2. Evincing pity, compassion, or sympathy; compassionate; tender. "[She] piteous of his case." Pope. She was so charitable and so pitous. Chaucer. 3. Fitted to excite pity or sympathy; wretched; miserable; lamentable; sad; as, a piteous case. Spenser. The most piteous tale of Lear. Shak. 4. Paltry; mean; pitiful. "Piteous amends." Milton. Syn. -- Sorrowful; mournful; affecting; doleful; woeful; rueful; sad; wretched; miserable; pitiable; pitiful; compassionate. -- Pit"e*ous*ly, adv. -- Pit"e*ous*ness, n.
Difficulty: 16.85
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 6700
His
hair
was
dishevelled,
and
blood
stained
his
face.
Sen 11018
True
to
the
general
rule
of
slum
life
that
the
more
money
one
made,
the
more
poverty-stricken
one
had
to
look,
Kumar’s
appearance
was
more
dishevelled
and
ragged
than
the
meanest
of
his
customers.
Sen 12009
She
was
distraught
and
dishevelled.
138
brasserie
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next
Difficulty: 16.85
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 18934
Its
piano
bar,
for
example,
was
a
small
masterpiece
of
light
and
cleverly
private
spaces,
and
its
brasserie
vied
determinedly
for
the
title
of
the
best
restaurant
in
Bombay.
Sen 18935
Walking
into
the
dark,
richly
textured
brasserie
from
the
brilliant
day,
I
paused
and
blinked
until
my
eyes
found
Lisa
and
her
group.
Sen 19151
I
held
open
the
door
of
the
brasserie
for
Lisa,
and
looked
back
at
the
table.
139
bristling
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Definition (bristle)
Definition (bristle)
1. A short, stiff, coarse hair, as on the back of swine. 2. (Bot.) A stiff, sharp, roundish hair. Gray.
1. To erect the bristles of; to cause to stand up, as the bristles of an angry hog; -- sometimes with up. Now for the bare-picked bone of majesty Doth dogged war bristle his angry crest. Shak. Boy, bristle thy courage up. Shak. 2. To fix a bristle to; as, to bristle a thread.
1. To rise or stand erect, like bristles. His hair did bristle upon his head. Sir W. Scott. 2. To appear as if covered with bristles; to have standing, thick and erect, like bristles. The hill of La Haye Sainte bristling with ten thousand bayonets. Thackeray. Ports bristling with thousands of masts. Macaulay. 3. To show deflance or indignation. To bristle up, to show anger or deflance.
"roundish": Somewhat round; as, a roundish seed; a roundish figure. -- Round"ish*ness, n.
Difficulty: 16.76
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 2058
The
taxi
driver—a
burly,
dark-skinned
man
with
a
bristling
moustache—seemed
to
be
outraged
at
my
impertinence
in
saving
our
lives.
Sen 9802
The
first
of
them
consisted
of
his
eyebrows,
which
began
a
little
above
and
in
the
centre
of
his
eyes,
and
descended
with
bristling
unruliness
along
the
slope
of
his
frown
to
the
level
of
the
eyes
themselves.
Sen 10024
We
stared
across
the
kind
of
bristling
hostility
that’s
sometimes
as
good
as,
or
better
than,
mutual
attraction.
140
muezzin
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Definition
Definition
A Mohammedan crier of the hour of prayer. [Written also mouezzin, mueddin, and muwazzin.]
"mohammedan": Of or pertaining to Mohammed, or the religion and institutions founded by Mohammed. [Written also Mahometan, Mahomedan, Muhammadan, etc.]
A follower of Mohammed, the founder of Islamism; one who professes Mohammedanism or Islamism.
"mouezzin": See Muezzin.
Difficulty: 16.75
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 9902
Just
as
we
passed
the
main
entrance
to
the
mosque,
the
muezzin
began
to
recite
the
call
to
prayer
from
the
minarets
above
our
heads.
Sen 9910
He
pointed
at
the
entrance
to
the
mosque,
and
then
to
the
tower
above
it,
where
loudspeakers
amplified
the
voice
of
the
muezzin.
Sen 20661
It
was
some
time
since
the
evening
prayer—I’d
heard
the
call
of
the
muezzin
while
we
were
driving
in
the
cab—but
there
were
still
many
men
absorbed
in
private
prayer
throughout
the
mosque.
141
incongruous
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Definition
Definition
Not congruous; reciprocally disagreeing; not capable of harmonizing or readily assimilating; inharmonious; inappropriate; unsuitable; not fitting; inconsistent; improper; as, an incongruous remark; incongruous behavior, action, dress, etc. "Incongruous mixtures of opinions." I. Taylor. "Made up of incongruous parts." Macaulay. Incongruous denotes that kind of absence of harmony or suitableness of which the taste and experience of men takes cognizance. C. J. Smith. Incongruous numbers (Arith.), two numbers, which, with respect to a third, are such that their difference can not be divided by it without a remainder, the two numbers being said to be incongruous with respect to the third; as, twenty-five are incongruous with respect to four. Syn. -- Inconsistent; unsuitable; inharmonious; disagreeing; absurd; inappropriate; unfit; improper. See Inconsistent. -- In*con"gru*ous*ly, adv. -- In*con"gru*ous*ness, n.
"inharmonious": 1. Not harmonious; unmusical; discordant; dissonant. Sounds inharmonious in themselves and harsh. Cowper. 2. Conflicting; jarring; not in harmony.
"reciprocally": 1. In a reciprocal manner; so that each affects the other, and is equally affected by it; interchangeably; mutually. These two particles to reciprocally affect each other with the same force. Bentley. 2. (Math.) In the manner of reciprocals. Reciprocally proportional (Arith. & Alg.), proportional, as two variable quantities, so that the one shall have a constant ratio to the reciprocal of the other.
"cognizance": 1. Apprehension by the understanding; perception; observation. Within the cognizance and lying under the control of their divine Governor. Bp. Hurd 2. Recollection; recognition. Who, soon as on that knight his eye did glance, Eftsoones of him had perfect cognizance. Spenser. 3. (Law) (a) Jurisdiction, or the power given by law to hear and decide controversies. (b) The hearing a matter judicially. (c) An acknowledgment of a fine of lands and tenements or confession of a thing done. [Eng.] (d) A form of defense in the action of replevin, by which the defendant insists that the goods were lawfully taken, as a distress, by defendant, acting as servant for another. [Eng.] Cowell. Mozley & W. 4. The distinguishing mark worn by an armed knight, usually upon the helmet, and by his retainers and followers: Hence, in general, a badge worn by a retainer or dependent, to indicate the person or party to which he belonged; a token by which a thing may be known. Wearing the liveries and cognizance of their master. Prescott. This pale and angry rose, As cognizance of my blood-drinking hate. Shak.
"congruous": Suitable or concordant; accordant; fit; harmonious; correspondent; consistent. Not congruous to the nature of epic poetry. Blair. It is no ways congruous that God should be always frightening men into an acknowledgment of the truth. Atterbury.
Difficulty: 16.71
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 7563
To
my
western
eyes,
those
fluid,
feminine
figures
in
soft
red,
blue,
green,
and
yellow
silk
were
incongruous
in
the
physical
turmoil
of
the
construction
site.
Sen 21661
There
was
always
something
eerily
incongruous
in
the
wise
lectures—sometimes
they
were
like
sermons—of
the
mafia
don
Abdel
Khader
Khan.
Sen 25328
Lettie
had
once
said
that
she
found
it
strange
and
incongruous
to
hear
me
describe
criminals,
killers,
and
mafiosi
as
men
of
honour.
142
nonchalance
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next
Definition
Definition
Indifference; carelessness; coolness.
Difficulty: 16.70
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 179
‘Safer?’
I
asked,
assuming
a
nonchalance
I
didn’t
feel.
Sen 3372
‘Maza
mitra
ahey,’
Prabaker
answered
with
contrived
nonchalance,
trying
in
vain
to
disguise
his
pride.
Sen 23016
Then
it
hovered
with
arrogant,
fearless
nonchalance
near
the
edge
of
the
plateau
that
had
been
our
haven.
143
overhand
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Definition
Definition
The upper hand; advantage; superiority; mastery. He had gotten thereby a great overhand on me. Sir T. More.
1. (Sewing) Over and over; -- applied to a style of sewing, or to a seam, in which two edges, usually selvedges, are sewed together by passing each stitch over both. 2. (Baseball, Cricket, etc.) Done (as pitching or bowling) with the hand higher than the elbow, or the arm above, or higher than, the shoulder. Overhand knot. See Illustration of Knot.
In an overhand manner or style.
Difficulty: 16.70
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 4290
My
left
hook
and
overhand
right
elbow,
the
best
hard
punches
in
any
street
fight,
were
lucky,
and
both
made
tough
contact.
Sen 12947
I
followed
him,
pushing
him
on
to
the
back
foot
and
hitting
him
with
a
flurry
of
jabs
and
overhand
rights.
Sen 19826
When
I
judged
the
moment
to
be
right,
I
swung
round
at
him
with
an
overhand
right.
144
minarets
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Definition (minaret)
Definition (minaret)
A slender, lofty tower attached to a mosque and surrounded by one or more projecting balconies, from which the summon to prayer is cried by the muezzin.
"muezzin": A Mohammedan crier of the hour of prayer. [Written also mouezzin, mueddin, and muwazzin.]
Difficulty: 16.66
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 5657
In
the
moonlight,
the
teardrop
arches
and
rounded
contours
glowed
white
and
became
the
sails
of
that
mystic
ship,
and
the
minarets
were
so
many
towering
spars.
Sen 9902
Just
as
we
passed
the
main
entrance
to
the
mosque,
the
muezzin
began
to
recite
the
call
to
prayer
from
the
minarets
above
our
heads.
Sen 12593
I
was
walking
into
the
worst
of
the
city,
one
of
her
cruellest
and
most
iniquitous
defiles,
but
some
instinct
flooded
my
mind
with
a
loveliness
I’d
found
in
her—that
path,
across
the
sea,
to
the
white
minarets
of
the
saint’s
tomb.
145
admonished
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Definition (admonish)
Definition (admonish)
1. To warn or notify of a fault; to reprove gently or kindly, but seriously; to exhort. "Admonish him as a brother." 2 Thess. iii. 15. 2. To counsel against wrong practices; to cation or advise; to warn against danger or an offense; -- followed by of, against, or a subordinate clause. Admonishing one another in psalms and hymns. Col. iii. 16. I warned thee, I admonished thee, foretold The danger, and the lurking enemy. Milton. 3. To instruct or direct; to inform; to notify. Moses was admonished of God, when he was about to make the tabernacle. Heb. viii. 5.
"exhort": To incite by words or advice; to animate or urge by arguments, as to a good deed or laudable conduct; to address exhortation to; to urge strongly; hence, to advise, warn, or caution. Examples gross as earth exhort me. Shak. Let me exhort you to take care of yourself. J. D. Forbes.
To deliver exhortation; to use words or arguments to incite to good deeds. With many other words did he testify and exhort. Acts ii. 40.
Exhortation. [Obs.] Pope.
"reprove": 1. To convince. [Obs.] When he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. John xvi. 9. 2. To disprove; to refute. [Obs.] Reprove my allegation, if you can. Shak. 3. To chide to the face as blameworthy; to accuse as guilty; to censure. What if thy son Prove disobedient, and, reproved, retort, "Wherefore didst thou beget me" Milton. 4. To express disapprobation of; as, to reprove faults. He neither reproved the ordinance of John, neither plainly condemned the fastings of the other men. Udall. Syn. -- To reprehend; chide; rebuke; scold; blame censure. -- Reprove, Rebuke, Reprimand. These words all signufy the expression of disapprobation. To reprove implies greater calmness and self-possession. To rebuke implies a more excited and personal feeling. A reproof may be administered long after the offience is committed, and is usually intended for the reformation of the offender; a rebuke is commonly given at the moment of the wrong, and is administered by way of punishment and condemnation. A reprimand proceeds from a person invested with authority, and is a formal and offiscial act. A child is reproved for his faults, and rebuked for his impudence. A military officer is reprimanded for neglect or violation of duty.
"cation": An electro-positive substance, which in electro-decomposition is evolved at the cathode; -- opposed to anion. Faraday.
"tabernacle": 1. A slightly built or temporary habitation; especially, a tent. Dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob. Heb. xi. 9. Orange trees planted in the ground, and secured in winter with a wooden tabernacle and stoves. Evelyn. 2. (Jewish Antiq.) A portable structure of wooden framework covered with curtains, which was carried through the wilderness in the Israelitish exodus, as a place of sacrifice and worship. Ex. xxvi. 3. Hence, the Jewish temple; sometimes, any other place for worship. Acts xv. 16. 4. Figuratively: The human body, as the temporary abode of the soul. Shortly I must put off this my tabernacle. 2 Pet. i. 14. 5. Any small cell, or like place, in which some holy or precious things was deposited or kept. Specifically: -- (a) The ornamental receptacle for the pyx, or for the consecrated elements, whether a part of a building or movable. (b) A niche for the image of a saint, or for any sacred painting or sculpture. (c) Hence, a work of art of sacred subject, having a partially architectural character, as a solid frame resting on a bracket, or the like. (d) A tryptich for sacred imagery. (e) A seat or stall in a choir, with its canopy. 6. (Naut.) A boxlike step for a mast with the after side open, so that the mast can be lowered to pass under bridges, etc. Feast of Tabernacles (Jewish Antiq.), one of the three principal festivals of the Jews, lasting seven days, during which the people dwelt in booths formed of the boughs of trees, in commemoration of the habitation of their ancestors in similar dwellings during their pilgrimage in the wilderness. -- Tabernacle work, rich canopy work like that over the head of niches, used over seats or stalls, or over sepulchral monuments. Oxf. Gloss.
To dwell or reside for a time; to be temporary housed. He assumed our nature, and tabernacled among us in the flesh. Dr. J. Scott.
Difficulty: 16.58
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 11396
He
warned
her
that
her
sister’s
life
was
in
her
hands,
and
he
admonished
her
for
her
cowardice.
Sen 16751
‘You
know,’
I
admonished
him,
‘Karla
says
that
depression
only
happens
to
people
who
don’t
know
how
to
be
sad.’
Sen 28606
‘Shantaram!’
he
admonished
me
when
I
started
speaking
to
him
in
Hindi.
146
trudging
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Definition (trudge)
Definition (trudge)
To walk or march with labor; to jog along; to move wearily. And trudged to Rome upon my naked feet. Dryden.
"wearily": In a weary manner.
Difficulty: 16.54
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 21472
More
than
a
few
of
the
tough,
hardened
fighters,
trudging
between
the
walking
horses,
stooped
to
gather
a
little
clutch
of
flowers
so
that
they
might
simply
feel
the
beauty
of
them
in
their
dry
and
calloused
hands.
Sen 21730
Stupidly,
I
didn’t
associate
it
with
gunfire
at
first,
and
I
kept
trudging
forward,
leading
my
horse
by
the
reins.
Sen 22157
Trudging
through
the
light
snow
I
dug
out
new
latrines,
and
carefully
covered
them
over
and
concealed
them
again
when
they
were
full.
147
trundling
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Definition (trundle)
Definition (trundle)
1. A round body; a little wheel. 2. A lind of low-wheeled cart; a truck. 3. A motion as of something moving upon little wheels or rollers; a rolling motion. 4. (Mach.) (a) A lantern wheel. See under Lantern. (b) One of the bars of a lantern wheel.
1. To roll (a thing) on little wheels; as, to trundle a bed or a gun carriage. 2. To cause to roll or revolve; to roll along; as, to trundle a hoop or a ball. R. A. Proctor.
1. To go or move on small wheels; as, a bed trundles under another. 2. To roll, or go by revolving, as a hoop.
"lind": The linden. See Linden. Chaucer.
Difficulty: 16.50
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 316
The
pack
was
heavy,
forcing
him
to
thrust
his
neck
out,
lean
over,
and
launch
himself
forward
into
a
trundling
gait.
Sen 6293
Even
the
rolling
stock
were
ghost
trains,
trundling
from
shunting
stop
to
shunting
stop
without
staff
or
passengers.
Sen 27307
With
Kano
trundling
along
on
all
fours
beside
us,
we
made
our
way
through
the
darkening
lanes
to
the
large
double-hut
that
was
old
Rakeshbaba’s
workshop.
148
trundled
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Definition (trundle)
Definition (trundle)
1. A round body; a little wheel. 2. A lind of low-wheeled cart; a truck. 3. A motion as of something moving upon little wheels or rollers; a rolling motion. 4. (Mach.) (a) A lantern wheel. See under Lantern. (b) One of the bars of a lantern wheel.
1. To roll (a thing) on little wheels; as, to trundle a bed or a gun carriage. 2. To cause to roll or revolve; to roll along; as, to trundle a hoop or a ball. R. A. Proctor.
1. To go or move on small wheels; as, a bed trundles under another. 2. To roll, or go by revolving, as a hoop.
"lind": The linden. See Linden. Chaucer.
Difficulty: 16.50
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 2178
As
the
semi-conscious
woman
was
trundled
away
on
the
humble
cart,
the
man
hurled
himself
at
the
door
of
the
taxi,
wrenching
it
open.
Sen 8064
Hundreds
of
wooden
handcarts,
longer
and
taller
and
wider
than
a
car
when
fully
laden,
trundled
along
between
buses
and
trucks,
pushed
by
barefoot
porters,
six
men
to
each
cart.
Sen 27197
The
blue-grey,
burkha-clad
figure
trundled
forward,
all
the
while
emitting
a
low,
grumbling
moan.
149
naan
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next
Difficulty: 16.48
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 11992
We
ate
chicken
byriani,
malai
kofta,
vegetable
korma,
rice,
curried
vegetables,
deep
fried
pieces
of
pumpkin,
potato,
onion,
and
cauliflower,
hot
buttered
naan
bread,
dhal,
papadams,
and
green
mango
chutney.
Sen 21462
Many
were
the
days
we
passed
with
no
more
than
one
glass
of
water
to
drink,
and
one
small
piece
of
naan
bread
to
eat.
Sen 22160
When
it
was
my
turn
to
milk
the
goats,
I
churned
the
milk
into
butter
and
helped
to
cook
naan
bread.
150
embossed
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Definition
Definition
1. Formed or covered with bosses or raised figures. 2. Having a part projecting like the boss of a shield. 3. Swollen; protuberant. [Obs.] "An embossed carbuncle." Shak.
"carbuncle": 1. (Min.) A beautiful gem of a deep red color (with a mixture of scarlet) called by the Greeks anthrax; found in the East Indies. When held up to the sun, it loses its deep tinge, and becomes of the color of burning coal. The name belongs for the most part to ruby sapphire, though it has been also given to red spinel and garnet. 2. (Med.) A very painful acute local inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue, esp. of the trunk or back of the neck, characterized by brawny hardness of the affected parts, sloughing of the skin and deeper tissues, and marked constitutional depression. It differs from a boil in size, tendency to spread, and the absence of a central core, and is frequently fatal. It is also called anthrax. 3. (Her.) A charge or bearing supposed to represent the precious stone. It has eight scepters or staves radiating from a common center. Called also escarbuncle.
"protuberant": Prominent, or excessively prominent; bulging beyond the surrounding or adjacent surface; swelling; as, a protuberant joint; a protuberant eye. -- Pro*tu"ber*ant*ly, adv.
Difficulty: 16.45
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 8173
The
cards
were
made
of
pearl-white,
textured,
linen
paper,
and
the
words
were
embossed
in
liquid
black
italic.
Sen 21454
And
for
the
clan
leaders
there
was
a
small
hoard
of
gold
tablets,
each
weighing
one
tola,
or
about
ten
grams,
and
embossed
with
the
Afghan
laurel.
Sen 25664
Her
lips,
embossed
with
secret
thoughts,
were
swollen
to
the
truth
she
was
trying
to
tell
me.
151
tatami
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next
Difficulty: 16.45
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 3322
A
range
of
products,
from
pottery
to
clothing
to
handwoven
tatami
mats,
was
arriving
at
the
station
for
dispatch
to
the
cities.
Sen 3700
We
passed
through
a
low
arch,
and
he
led
me
to
an
area
beside
the
house
that
was
enclosed
on
three
sides
by
hanging
tatami
mats.
Sen 3722
He
was
darting
about,
peering
through
the
tatami
matting
at
various
places.
152
unkempt
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next
Definition
Definition
1. Not combed; disheveled; as, an urchin with unkempt hair. 2. Fig.; Not smoothed; unpolished; rough. My rhymes be rugged and unkempt. Spenser.
"disheveled": 1. Having in loose disorder; disarranged; as, disheveled hair. 2. Having the hair in loose disorder. The dancing maidens are disheveled Mænads. J. A. Symonds.
Difficulty: 16.32
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 11408
His
hair
was
unkempt,
and
he
pushed
it
back
frequently
with
the
long
fingers
of
his
right
hand.
Sen 15023
They
were
unshaven,
unwashed,
and
unkempt
in
appearance.
Sen 20634
Beyond
the
window
the
streets
grew
less
ordered,
and
the
buildings
grew
more
shabby
and
unkempt.
153
genial
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Definition
Definition
Same as Genian.
1. Contributing to, or concerned in, propagation or production; generative; procreative; productive. "The genial bed." Milton. Creator Venus, genial power of love. Dryden. 2. Contributing to, and sympathizing with, the enjoyment of life; sympathetically cheerful and cheering; jovial and inspiring joy or happiness; exciting pleasure and sympathy; enlivening; kindly; as, she was of a cheerful and genial disposition. So much I feel my genial spirits droop. Milton. 3. Belonging to one's genius or natural character; native; natural; inborn. [Obs.] Natural incapacity and genial indisposition. Sir T. Browne. 4. Denoting or marked with genius [R.] Men of genius have often attached the highest value to their less genial works. Hare. Genial gods (Pagan Mythol.), the powers supposed to preside over marriage and generation.
"genian": Of or pertaining to the chin; mental; as, the genian prominence.
"incapacity": 1. Want of capacity; lack of physical or intellectual power; inability. 2. (Law) Want of legal ability or competency to do, give, transmit, or receive something; inability; disqualification; as, the inacapacity of minors to make binding contracts, etc. Syn. -- Inability; incapability; incompetency; unfitness; disqualification; disability.
"inborn": Born in or with; implanted by nature; innate; as, inborn passions. Cowper. Syn. -- Innate; inherent; natural.
"propagation": 1. The act of propagating; continuance or multiplication of the kind by generation or successive production; as, the propagation of animals or plants. There is not in nature any spontaneous generation, but all come by propagation. Ray. 2. The spreading abroad, or extension, of anything; diffusion; dissemination; as, the propagation of sound; the propagation of the gospel. Bacon.
"generative": Having the power of generating, propagating, originating, or producing. "That generative particle." Bentley.
"droop": 1. To hang bending downward; to sink or hang down, as an animal, plant, etc., from physical inability or exhaustion, want of nourishment, or the like. "The purple flowers droop." "Above her drooped a lamp." Tennyson. I saw him ten days before he died, and observed he began very much to droop and languish. Swift. 2. To grow weak or faint with disappointment, grief, or like causes; to be dispirited or depressed; to languish; as, her spirits drooped. I'll animate the soldier's drooping courage. Addison. 3. To proceed downward, or toward a close; to decline. "Then day drooped." Tennyson.
To let droop or sink. [R.] M. Arnold. Like to a withered vine That droops his sapless branches to the ground. Shak.
A drooping; as, a droop of the eye.
"procreative": Having the power to beget; generative. Sir M. Hale.
"indisposition": 1. The state of being indisposed; disinclination; as, the indisposition of two substances to combine. A general indisposition towards believing. Atterbury. 2. A slight disorder or illness. Rather as an indisposition in health than as any set sickness. Hayward.
"sympathetically": In a sympathetic manner.
Difficulty: 16.27
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 16038
It
was
a
genial,
sanguine
meeting,
and
I
rose
to
leave
with
the
strength
and
confidence
that
those
honest,
simple,
decent
men
always
inspired
in
me.
Sen 25356
Andrew
had
been
genial
and
talkative,
but
he’d
moved
only
reluctantly
from
the
company
of
his
young
gangster
friends,
and
we
hadn’t
become
close.
Sen 25465
They
were
the
new
blood,
the
new
mafia
dons,
the
new
lords
of
the
city:
Sanjay,
the
efficient
killer
with
the
movie-star
looks;
Andrew,
the
genial
Goan
who
dreamed
of
taking
his
seat
on
the
mafia
council;
Amir,
the
grizzled
veteran
with
the
story-teller’s
gift;
Faisal,
the
cold-hearted
enforcer
who
only
asked
one
question—Finger,
arm,
leg,
or
neck?—when
he
was
given
an
assignment;
Farid,
known
as
the
Fixer,
who
solved
problems
with
fire
and
fear,
and
who’d
raised
six
much
younger
brothers
and
sisters,
alone,
when
his
parents
died
in
a
cholera-infested
slum;
and
Salman,
the
quiet
one,
the
humble
one,
the
natural
leader,
who
controlled
the
lives
of
hundreds
in
the
little
empire
that
he’d
inherited
and
held
by
force.
154
reverie
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Definition
Definition
1. A loose or irregular train of thought occurring in musing or mediation; deep musing; daydream. "Rapt in nameless reveries." Tennyson. When ideas float in our mind without any reflection or regard of the understanding, it is that which the French call revery, our language has scarce a name for it. Locke. 2. An extravagant concient of the fancy; a vision. [R.] There are infinite reveries and numberless extravagancies pass through both [wise and foolish minds]. Addison.
"rapt": imp. & p. p. of Rap, to snatch away.
1. Snatched away; hurried away or along. Waters rapt with whirling away. Spenser. 2. Transported with love, admiration, delight, etc.; enraptured. "The rapt musician." Longfellow. 3. Wholly absorbed or engrossed, as in work or meditation. "Rapt in secret studies." Shak.
1. An ecstasy; a trance. [Obs.] Bp. Morton. 2. Rapidity. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
1. To transport or ravish. [Obs.] Drayton. 2. To carry away by force. [Obs.] Daniel.
"numberless": Innumerable; countless.
"revery": 1. A loose or irregular train of thought occurring in musing or mediation; deep musing; daydream. "Rapt in nameless reveries." Tennyson. When ideas float in our mind without any reflection or regard of the understanding, it is that which the French call revery, our language has scarce a name for it. Locke. 2. An extravagant concient of the fancy; a vision. [R.] There are infinite reveries and numberless extravagancies pass through both [wise and foolish minds]. Addison.
Same as Reverie.
Difficulty: 16.27
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 10601
A
few
moments
later,
he
shook
himself
from
his
reverie
and
looked
at
me,
his
eyes
gleaming
in
a
gentle,
affectionate
smile.
Sen 15262
She
drifted
in
that
reverie
for
a
few
moments
and
then
snapped
her
head
back
to
stare
at
me.
Sen 24283
He
dropped
his
gaze
again,
and
lapsed
into
a
reverie
so
rich
in
thought
and
feeling
that
his
head
twitched
and
his
lower
lip
trembled
in
the
turbulence
of
it.
155
gelding
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next
Definition
Definition
A castrated animal; -- usually applied to a horse, but formerly used also of the human male. They went down both into the water, Philip and the gelding, and Philip baptized him. Wyclif (Acts viii. 38).
from Geld, v. t.
"geld": Money; tribute; compensation; ransom.[Obs.] Note: This word occurs in old law books in composition, as in danegeld, or danegelt, a tax imposed by the Danes; weregeld, compensation for the life of a man, etc.
1. To castrate; to emasculate. 2. To deprive of anything essential. Bereft and gelded of his patrimony. Shak. 3. To deprive of anything exceptionable; as, to geld a book, or a story; to expurgate. [Obs.] Dryden.
Difficulty: 16.26
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 20175
The
white
gelding
and
grey
mare
were
large,
docile
animals.
Sen 20184
The
thickset
Afghan
cupped
his
hands
to
boost
me
onto
the
gelding’s
back,
nodding
his
head
for
me
to
climb
up,
and
winking
encouragingly.
Sen 20187
The
gelding
galloped
away
down
the
beach
without
me.
156
pani
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next
Difficulty: 16.24
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 964
Ha
means
yes,
and
nahin
means
no,
and
pani
means
water,
and
khanna
means
foods,
and
—’
Sen 6747
‘Pani
nahin,’
Qasim
said.
Sen 8502
I
took
a
glass
and
drank
some
of
the
nimbu
pani.
157
demurred
prev
next
Definition (murr)
Definition (murr)
A catarrh. [Obs.] Gascoigne.
"catarrh": An inflammatory affection of any mucous membrane, in which there are congestion, swelling, and an altertion in the quantity and quality of mucus secreted; as catarrh of the stomach; catarrh of the bladder. Note: In America, the term catarrh is applied especially to a chronic inflammation of, and hypersecretion fron, the membranes of the nose or air passages; in England, to an acute influenza, resulting a cold, and attended with cough, thirst, lassitude, and watery eyes; also, to the cold itself.
Difficulty: 16.22
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 14737
‘I’m
…
happy
to
stay
with
the
metre
right
now,’
I
demurred,
laughing
again
in
spite
of
myself.
Sen 17027
‘Fuck
lunch,
let’s
get
stoned
first,
yaar,’
Kalpana
demurred.
Sen 28014
‘I
don’t
know,
man,’
I
demurred,
grinning
in
surprise
at
his
earnestness.
158
plodding
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next
Definition
Definition
Progressing in a slow, toilsome manner; characterized by laborious diligence; as, a plodding peddler; a plodding student; a man of plodding habits. --Plod"ding*ly, adv.
"toilsome": Attended with toil, or fatigue and pain; laborious; wearisome; as, toilsome work. What can be toilsome in these pleasant walks Milton. -- Toil"some*ly, adv. -- Toil"some*ness, n.
"laborious": 1. Requiring labor, perseverance, or sacrifices; toilsome; tiresome. Dost thou love watchings, abstinence, or toil, Laborious virtues all Learn these from Cato. Addison. 2. Devoted to labor; diligent; industrious; as, a laborious mechanic. -- La*bo"ri*ous*ly, adv. -- La*bo"ri*ous*ness, n.
Difficulty: 16.20
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 229
The
impression
was
of
a
plodding,
indefatigable,
and
distant
past
that
had
crashed
intact,
through
barriers
of
time,
into
its
own
future.
Sen 3604
The
people
smiled,
laughed,
wiggled
their
heads
in
return,
and
ran
ahead,
shouting
to
their
neighbours
about
the
entertaining
spectacle
that
was
plodding
along
the
track
towards
them.
Sen 21981
I
called
on
it
to
stop,
but
it
ignored
me,
plodding
onward
along
the
narrow
track.
159
frothy
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next
Definition
Definition
1. Full of foam or froth, or consisting of froth or light bubbles; spumous; foamy. 2. Not firm or solid; soft; unstable. Bacon. 3. Of the nature of froth; light; empty; unsubstantial; as, a frothy speaker or harangue. Tillotson.
"harangue": A speech addressed to a large public assembly; a popular oration; a loud address a multitude; in a bad sense, a noisy or pompous speech; declamation; ranting. Gray-headed men and grave, with warriors mixed, Assemble, and harangues are heard. Milton. Syn. -- Harangue, Speech, Oration. Speech is generic; an oration is an elaborate and rhetorical speech; an harangue is a vehement appeal to the passions, or a noisy, disputatious address. A general makes an harangue to his troops on the eve of a battle; a demagogue harangues the populace on the subject of their wrongs.
To make an harangue; to declaim.
To address by an harangue.
"unsubstantial": Lacking in matter or substance; visionary; chimerical.
"spumous": Consisting of, containing, or covered with, froth, scum, or foam; frothy; foamy. The spumous and florid state of the blood. Arbuthnot. The spumy waves proclaim the watery war. Dryden.
"foamy": Covered with foam; frothy; spumy. Behold how high the foamy billows ride! Dryden.
Difficulty: 16.20
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 11524
Her
lips
were
like
the
soft
ridges
of
dunes
in
the
desert
at
sunset;
like
the
crests
of
waves
meeting
in
the
frothy
rush
to
shore;
like
the
folded
wings
of
courting
birds.
Sen 23374
The
New
York
accent,
with
its
Arabic
swell,
rolled
over
me
like
a
warm,
frothy
wave,
and
I
almost
reached
out
to
hug
him.
Sen 26038
Here
and
there
along
the
boulevard,
frothy
plumes,
like
gasps
of
effort,
slapped
up,
over,
and
onto
the
white
footpaths.
160
rotis
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next
Difficulty: 16.20
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 9639
The
smells
of
rotis
cooking
on
kerosene
stoves,
and
chai
boiling
in
fragrant
pots
joined
the
people-smells
of
coconut
hair
oil,
sandalwood
soap,
and
camphor-soaked
clothing.
Sen 9661
We
drank
sweet
tea
spiced
with
clove,
and
ate
waffle-style
rotis
filled
with
ghee
and
sugar,
and
rolled
into
tubes.
Sen 11570
We
were
exhausted,
but
hunger
drove
us
to
chew
through
the
hot
rotis
and
vegetables.
161
discernible
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next
Definition
Definition
Capable of being discerned by the eye or the understanding; as, a star is discernible by the eye; the identity of difference of ideas is discernible by the understanding. The effect of the privations and sufferings . . . was discernible to the last in his temper and deportment. Macaulay. Syn. -- Perceptible; distinguishable; apparent; visible; evident; manifest.
"distinguishable": 1. Capable of being distinguished; separable; divisible; discernible; capable of recognition; as, a tree at a distance is distinguishable from a shrub. A simple idea being in itself uncompounded . . . is not distinguishable into different ideas. Locke. 2. Worthy of note or special regard. Swift.
"deportment": Manner of deporting or demeaning one's self; manner of acting; conduct; carrige; especially, manner of acting with respect to the courtesies and duties of life; behavior; demeanor; bearing. The gravity of his deportment carried him safe through many difficulties. Swift.
"perceptible": Capable of being perceived; cognizable; discernible; perceivable. With a perceptible blast of the air. Bacon. -- Per*cep"ti*ble*ness, n. -- Per*cep"ti*bly, adv.
Difficulty: 16.19
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 3103
The
cherubs
of
that
architectural
sky
were
pigeons,
so
far
overhead
in
their
flutter
from
roost
to
roost
that
they
were
only
faintly
discernible;
distant,
celestial
beings
of
flight,
and
white
light.
Sen 11641
Aunt
Penny
was
jealous
of
the
girl’s
beauty
and
her
combative,
intimidating
intelligence—qualities
not
discernible
in
her
own
three
children.
Sen 25407
I
know
now
that
assassin
grief
can
hide
for
years
and
then
strike
suddenly,
on
the
happiest
day,
without
discernible
reason
or
exegesis.
162
scrupulous
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next
Definition
Definition
1. Full ofscrupules; inclined to scruple; nicely doubtful; hesitating to determine or to act, from a fear of offending or of doing wrong. Abusing their liberty, to the offense of their weak brethren which were scrupulous. Hooker. 2. Careful; cautious; exact; nice; as, scrupulous abstinence from labor; scrupulous performance of duties. 3. Given to making objections; captious. [Obs.] Equality of two domestic powers Breed scrupulous faction. Shak. 4. Liable to be doubted; doubtful; nice. [Obs.] The justice of that cause ought to be evident; not obscrure, not scrupulous. Bacon. Syn. -- Cautious; careful; conscientious; hesitating. -- Scru"pu*lous*ly, adv. -- Scru"pu*lous*ness, n.
"scruple": 1. A weight of twenty grains; the third part of a dram. 2. Hence, a very small quantity; a particle. I will not bate thee a scruple. Shak. 3. Hesitation as to action from the difficulty of determining what is right or expedient; unwillingness, doubt, or hesitation proceeding from motives of conscience. He was made miserable by the conflict between his tastes and his scruples. Macaulay. To make scruple, to hesitate from conscientious motives; to scruple. Locke.
To be reluctant or to hesitate, as regards an action, on account of considerations of conscience or expedience. We are often over-precise, scrupling to say or do those things which lawfully we may. Fuller. Men scruple at the lawfulness of a set form of divine worship. South.
1. To regard with suspicion; to hesitate at; to question. Others long before them . . . scrupled more the books of hereties than of gentiles. Milton. 2. To excite scruples in; to cause to scruple. [R.] Letters which did still scruple many of them. E. Symmons.
"captious": 1. Art to catch at faults; disposed to find fault or to cavil; eager to object; difficult to please. A captius and suspicious. Stillingfleet. I am sensible I have not disposed my materials to adbide the test of a captious controversy. Bwike. 2. Fitted to harass, perplex, or insnare; insidious; troublesome. Captious restraints on navigation. Bancroft. Syn. -- Caviling, carping, fault-finding; censorious; hypercritical; peevish, fretful; perverse; troublesome. -- Captious, caviling, Carping. A captious person is one who has a fault-finding habit or manner, or is disposed to catch at faults, errors, etc., with quarrelsome intent; a caviling person is disposed to raise objections on frivolous grounds; carping implies that one is given to ill-natured, persistent, or unreasonable fault-finding, or picking up of the words or actions of others. Caviling is the carping of argument, carping the caviling of ill temper. C. J. Smith.
Difficulty: 16.17
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 981
In
fact,
as
he
told
me
much
later,
Prabaker
had
just
then
decided
to
like
me,
and
for
him
that
meant
he
was
bound
to
a
scrupulous
and
literal
honesty
in
everything
he
said
or
did.
Sen 4448
It
was
the
kind
of
sadness
that’s
a
companion,
all
too
often,
to
scrupulous
and
uncompromising
honesty.
Sen 20408
Nazeer,
scrupulous
as
ever
in
his
conformity
with
Khaderbhai’s
instructions,
never
uttered
a
single
word
on
the
first
leg
from
Bombay
to
Karachi.
163
rehydration
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next
Definition (hydration)
Definition (hydration)
The act of becoming, or state of being, a hydrate. Water of hydration (Chem.), water chemically combined with some substance to form a hydrate; -- distinguished from water of crystallization.
"crystallization": 1. (Chem. & Min.) The act or process by which a substance in solidifying assumes the form and sructure of a crystal, or becomes crystallized. 2. The body formed by crystallizing; as, silver on precipitation forms arborescent crystallizations. Note: The systems of crystallization are the several classes to which the forms are mathematically referable. They are most simply described according to the relative lengths and inclinations of certain assumed lines called axes; but the real distinction is the degree of symmetry characterizing them. 1. The Isometric, or Monometric, system has the axes all equal, as in the cube, octahedron, etc. 2. The Tetragonal, or Dimetric, system has a varying vertical axis, while the lateral are equal, as in the right square prism. 3. The Orthorhombic, or Trimetric, system has the three axes unequal, as in the rectangular and rhombic prism. In this system, the lateral axes are called, respectively, macrodiagonal and brachydiagonal. -- The preceding are erect forms, the axes intersecting at right angles. The following are oblique. 4. The Monoclinic system, having one of the intersections oblique, as in the oblique rhombic prism. In this system, the lateral axes are called respectively, clinodiagonal and orthodiagonal. 5. The Triclinic system, having all the three intersections oblique, as in the oblique rhomboidal prism. There is also: 6. The Hexagonal system (one division of which is called Rhombohedral), in which there are three equal lateral axes, and a vertical axis of variable length, as in the hexagonal prism and the rhombohedron. Note: The Diclinic system, sometimes recognized, with two oblique intersections, is only a variety of the Triclinic.
Difficulty: 16.17
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 11466
ORT,
or
Oral
Rehydration
Therapy,
had
been
devised
by
Jon
Rohde,
a
scientist
who
worked
with
local
and
UNICEF
doctors
in
Bangladesh
during
the
late
1960s
and
early
1970s.
Sen 11467
The
oral
rehydration
solution
that
he
developed
contained
distilled
water,
sugar,
common
salt,
and
other
minerals
in
carefully
mixed
proportions.
Sen 11493
My
task
was
to
supervise
the
use
of
the
oral
rehydration
solution
and
to
prepare
batches
of
a
homemade
mixture
as
required.
164
retorted
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next
Definition (retort)
Definition (retort)
1. To bend or curve back; as, a retorted line. With retorted head, pruned themselves as they floated. Southey. 2. To throw back; to reverberate; to reflect. As when his virtues, shining upon others, Heat them and they retort that heat again To the first giver. Shak. 3. To return, as an argument, accusation, censure, or incivility; as, to retort the charge of vanity. And with retorted scorn his back he turned. Milton.
To return an argument or a charge; to make a severe reply. Pope.
1. The return of, or reply to, an argument, charge, censure, incivility, taunt, or witticism; a quick and witty or severe response. This is called the retort courteous. Shak. 2. Etym: [F. retorte (cf. Sp. retorta), fr. L. retortus, p. p. of retorquere. So named from its bent shape. See Retort, v. t.] (Chem. & the Arts) A vessel in which substances are subjected to distillation or decomposition by heat. It is made of different forms and materials for different uses, as a bulb of glass with a curved beak to enter a receiver for general chemical operations, or a cylinder or semicylinder of cast iron for the manufacture of gas in gas works. Tubulated retort (Chem.), a retort having a tubulure for the introduction or removal of the substances which are to be acted upon. Syn. -- Repartee; answer. -- Retort, Repartee. A retort is a short and pointed reply, turning back on an assailant the arguments, censure, or derision he had thrown out. A repartee is usually a good-natured return to some witty or sportive remark.
"distillation": 1. The act of falling in drops, or the act of pouring out in drops. 2. That which falls in drops. [R.] Johnson 3. (Chem.) The separation of the volatile parts of a substance from the more fixed; specifically, the operation of driving off gas or vapor from volatile liquids or solids, by heat in a retort or still, and the condensation of the products as far as possible by a cool receiver, alembic, or condenser; rectification; vaporization; condensation; as, the distillation of illuminating gas and coal, of alcohol from sour mash, or of boric acid in steam. Note: The evaporation of water, its condensation into clouds, and its precipitation as rain, dew, frost, snow, or hail, is an illustration of natural distillation. 4. The substance extracted by distilling. Shak. Destructive distillation (Chem.), the distillation, especially of complex solid substances, so that the ultimate constituents are separated or evolved in new compounds, -- usually requiring a high degree of heat; as, the destructive distillation of soft coal or of wood. -- Dry distillation, the distillation of substances by themselves, or without the addition of water or of other volatile solvent; as, the dry distillation of citric acid. -- Fractional distillation. (Chem.) See under Fractional.
"tubulated": Made in the form of a small tube; provided with a tube, or elongated opening. Tubulated bottle or retort (Chem.), a bottle or retort having a stoppered opening for the introduction or removal of materials.
"repartee": A smart, ready, and witty reply. Cupid was as bad as he; Hear but the youngster's repartee. Prior. Syn. -- Retort; reply. See Retort.
To make smart and witty replies. [R.] Prior.
"tubulure": A short tubular opening at the top of a retort, or at the top or side of a bottle; a tubulation.
"incivility": 1. The quality or state of being uncivil; want of courtesy; rudeness of manner; impoliteness. Shak. Tillotson. 2. Any act of rudeness or ill breeding. Uncomely jests, loud talking and jeering, which, in civil account, are called indecencies and incivilities. Jer. Taylor. 3. Want of civilization; a state of rudeness or barbarism. [R.] Sir W. Raleigh. Syn. -- Impoliteness; uncourteousness; unmannerliness; disrespect; rudeness; discourtesy.
"sportive": Tending to, engaged in, or provocate of, sport; gay; froliscome; playful; merry. Is it I That drive thee from the sportive court Shak. -- Sport"ive*ly, adv. -- Sport"ive*ness, n.
"witticism": A witty saying; a sentence or phrase which is affectedly witty; an attempt at wit; a conceit. Milton. He is full of conceptions, points of epigram, and witticisms; all which are below the dignity of heroic verse. Addison.
"reverberate": 1. Reverberant. [Obs.] "The reverberate hills." Shak. 2. Driven back, as sound; reflected. [Obs.] Drayton.
1. To return or send back; to repel or drive back; to echo, as sound; to reflect, as light, as light or heat. Who, like an arch, reverberates The voice again. Shak. 2. To send or force back; to repel from side to side; as, flame is reverberated in a furnace. 3. Hence, to fuse by reverberated heat. [Obs.] "Reverberated into glass." Sir T. Browne.
1. To resound; to echo. 2. To be driven back; to be reflected or repelled, as rays of light; to be echoed, as sound.
"derision": 1. The act of deriding, or the state of being derided; mockery; scornful or contemptuous treatment which holds one up to ridicule. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall have them in derision. Ps. ii. 4. Saderision called. Milton. 2. An object of derision or scorn; a laughing-stock. I was a derision to all my people. Lam. iii. 14. Syn. -- Scorn; mockery; contempt; insult; ridicule.
"etym": See Etymon. H. F. Talbot.
Difficulty: 16.16
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 11182
‘That’s
one
of
Karla’s
lines,’
I
retorted.
Sen 18987
‘See
my
eviction
from
their
point
of
view,’
Mehta
retorted,
with
such
vehemence
that
several
heads
turned
toward
him
from
other
tables.
Sen 20600
‘What
socialists?’
he
retorted,
squinting
more
furiously.
165
lathe
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next
Definition
Definition
Formerly, a part or division of a county among the Anglo- Saxons. At present it consists of four or five hundreds, and is confined to the county of Kent. [Written also lath.] Brande & C.
1. A granary; a barn. [Obs.] Chaucer. 2. (Mach.) A machine for turning, that is, for shaping articles of wood, metal, or other material, by causing them to revolve while acted upon by a cutting tool. 3. The movable swing frame of a loom, carrying the reed for separating the warp threads and beating up the weft; -- called also lay and batten. Blanchard lathe, a lathe for turning irregular forms after a given pattern, as lasts, gunstocks, and the like. -- Drill lathe, or Speed lathe, a small lathe which, from its high speed, is adapted for drilling; a hand lathe. -- Engine lathe, a turning lathe in which the cutting tool has an automatic feed; -- used chiefly for turning and boring metals, cutting screws, etc. -- Foot lathe, a lathe which is driven by a treadle worked by the foot. -- Geometric lathe. See under Geometric -- Hand lathe, a lathe operated by hand; a power turning lathe without an automatic feed for the tool. -- Slide lathe, an engine lathe. -- Throw lathe, a small lathe worked by one hand, while the cutting tool is held in the other.
"treadle": 1. The part of a foot lathe, or other machine, which is pressed or moved by the foot. 2. (Biol.) The chalaza of a bird's egg; the tread.
"lath": A thin, narrow strip of wood, nailed to the rafters, studs, or floor beams of a building, for the purpose of supporting the tiles, plastering, etc. A corrugated metallic strip or plate is sometimes used. Lath brick, a long, slender brick, used in making the floor on which malt is placed in the drying kiln. Lath nail a slender nail for fastening laths.
To cover or line with laths.
"movable": 1. Capable of being moved, lifted, carried, drawn, turned, or conveyed, or in any way made to change place or posture; susceptible of motion; not fixed or stationary; as, a movable steam engine. 2. Changing from one time to another; as, movable feasts, i. e., church festivals, the date of which varies from year to year. Movable letter (Heb. Gram.), a letter that is pronounced, as opposed to one that is quiescent.
1. An article of wares or goods; a commodity; a piece of property not fixed, or not a part of real estate; generally, in the plural, goods; wares; furniture. Furnished with the most rich and princely movables. Evelyn. 2. (Rom. Law) Property not attached to the soil. Note: The word is not convertible with personal property, since rents and similar incidents of the soil which are personal property by our law are immovables by the Roman law. Wharton.
"granary": A storehouse or repository for grain, esp. after it is thrashed or husked; a cornbouse; also (Fig.), a region fertile in grain. The exhaustless granary of a world. Thomson.
"weft": imp. & p. p. of Wave.
A thing waved, waived, or cast away; a waif. [Obs.] "A forlorn weft." Spenser.
1. The woof of cloth; the threads that cross the warp from selvage to selvage; the thread carried by the shuttle in weaving. 2. A web; a thing woven.
Difficulty: 16.13
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 22114
There
was
a
small
capstan
lathe,
which
we’d
bolted
to
a
homemade
table.
Sen 22115
The
lathe
ran
on
a
diesel
engine.
Sen 22158
I
turned
new
parts
on
the
turret
lathe,
and
melted
the
helical
metal
shavings
to
make
more
parts.
166
dreadlocks
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next
Difficulty: 16.10
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 7003
Both
men
had
long
hair,
worn
in
dreadlocks
as
thick
as
two
fingers,
and
tipped
with
coils
of
silver
wire.
Sen 15440
His
hair
was
matted
in
dreadlocks
that
reached
to
his
waist.
Sen 27232
Their
long
dreadlocks
and
decorated
plaits
were
concealed
beneath
turbans,
and
they
wore
plain
white
shirts
and
trousers.
167
squall
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next
Definition
Definition
A sudden violent gust of wind often attended with rain or snow. The gray skirts of a lifting squall. Tennyson. Black squall, a squall attended with dark, heavy clouds. -- Thick squall, a black squall accompanied by rain, hail, sleet, or snow. Totten. -- White squall, a squall which comes unexpectedly, without being marked in its approach by the clouds. Totten.
To cry out; to scream or cry violently, as a woman frightened, or a child in anger or distress; as, the infant squalled.
A loud scream; a harsh cry. There oft are heard the notes of infant woe, -The short, thick sob, loud scream, and shriller squall. Pope.
Difficulty: 16.06
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 2070
‘For
Christ’s
sake,
tell
him
to
stop!’
I
shouted
as
the
cab
accelerated
into
a
squall
of
traffic,
lurching
in
the
swerve
left
and
right.
Sen 10016
I
realised
that
she
was
early
drunk,
in
that
squall
of
coherence
before
slurred
speech
and
clumsiness
and
collapse.
Sen 15353
So
much
had
happened
since
the
last
time
I’d
seen
her,
the
first
time
we’d
made
love,
that
a
fevered
squall
of
emotion
stung
my
eyes.
168
ghee
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next
Definition
Definition
Butter clarified by boiling, and thus converted into a kind of oil. [India] Malcom.
Difficulty: 16.04
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 3982
The
hot,
pancake-like
bread
was
filled
with
a
dab
of
ghee,
or
purified
butter,
and
a
large
spoonful
of
sugar.
Sen 9661
We
drank
sweet
tea
spiced
with
clove,
and
ate
waffle-style
rotis
filled
with
ghee
and
sugar,
and
rolled
into
tubes.
Sen 23104
The
flour
had
burned
to
soot
with
the
rice
and
ghee
and
sugar.
169
coveralls
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next
Difficulty: 16.03
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 5103
I
had
an
extension
cord
with
me,
wrapped
around
my
body
under
my
coveralls.
Sen 5243
I
took
the
chisel
from
the
side-pocket
of
my
coveralls.
Sen 5268
Telling
him
to
hold
still,
I
used
the
chisel
to
tear
a
flap
in
the
pocket
at
the
back
of
his
coveralls.
170
sprawled
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next
Definition (sprawl)
Definition (sprawl)
1. To spread and stretch the body or limbs carelessly in a horizontal position; to lie with the limbs stretched out ungracefully. 2. To spread irregularly, as vines, plants, or tress; to spread ungracefully, as chirography. 3. To move, when lying down, with awkward extension and motions of the limbs; to scramble in creeping. The birds were not fledged; but upon sprawling and struggling to get clear of the flame, down they tumbled. L'Estrange.
"chirography": 1. The art of writing or engrossing; handwriting; as, skilled in chirography. 2. The art of telling fortunes by examining the hand.
"tress": 1. A braid, knot, or curl, of hair; a ringlet. Her yellow hair was braided in a tress. Chaucer. Fair tresses man's imperial race insnare. Pope. 2. Fig.: A knot or festoon, as of flowers. Keats.
"irregularly": In an irregular manner.
Difficulty: 16.00
Appears 3 times in book:
Sen 9122
He
sprawled
in
his
place,
where
others
sat.
Sen 10227
Hurriedly
soaking
a
towel
in
cold
water
and
grabbing
up
a
large
dish
from
the
bathroom,
I
returned
to
find
her
sprawled
out
awkwardly,
her
hands
on
her
belly.
Sen 12013
On
the
bed
there
was
a
young
man
sprawled
with
one
leg
over
the
foot
of
the
bed.
171
excruciation
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Definition
Definition
The act of inflicting agonizing pain, or the state of being thus afflicted; that which excruciates; torture. Feltham.
Difficulty: 21.38
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 4565
The
faces
of
the
Babas
were
radiant
with
their
excruciation.
Sen 24081
Every
movement
of
my
body,
or
turn
of
the
head,
stabbed
into
that
sweating
excruciation.
172
jezail
prev
next
Difficulty: 20.69
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 21493
The
latter
was
emphasised
with
spectacular
effect
by
the
antique,
long-barrelled
jezail
that
he
held
upright,
balanced
on
his
hip.
Sen 24017
They
were
Afghans,
veteran
fighters;
hard
men,
with
eyes
that
stared
at
me
as
if
they
were
looking
along
the
decorated
barrel
of
a
jezail
rifle.
173
hazaar
prev
next
Difficulty: 20.69
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 24151
‘Do-do-teen
hazaar,’
I
answered,
using
the
slang
phrase
two-two-three
thousand,
which
always
means
three.
Sen 24152
‘Teen
hazaar!’
he
huffed,
more
from
habit
than
any
real
concern.
174
sisterfucking
prev
next
Difficulty: 20.28
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 3452
There
are
plenty
of
arseholes
and
bastards
around
who
will
teach
him
the
wrong
sisterfucking
words.
Sen 26748
Have
you
got
a
goat’s
brain
inside
your
sisterfucking
head?’
175
castellated
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Inclosed within a building; as, a fountain or cistern castellated. [Obs.] Johnson. 2. Furnished with turrets and battlements, like a castle; built in the style of a castle.
Difficulty: 20.28
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 5271
Wriggling
like
worms
in
the
gutter
of
the
trough,
we
moved
forward
to
the
castellated
front
wall
of
the
prison.
Sen 18829
I
sat
beneath
huge,
fire-breathing
dragons
and
ate
Chinese
broccoli
with
snow
peas,
garlic
spinach,
fried
bean
curd,
and
mushrooms
in
black
bean
sauce
by
the
light
of
paper
lanterns,
while
the
windows
gave
a
view
of
castellated
battlements,
gothic
arches,
and
rosestudded
topiary.
176
dumm
prev
next
Difficulty: 20.28
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 5522
In
three
minutes
the
chillum
was
prepared,
and
offered
to
Khaderbhai
for
the
first
dumm,
or
puff.
Sen 14626
Khader
received
the
honour
of
lighting
the
pipe,
and
I
took
the
second
dumm.
177
bhajee
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.99
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 4956
An
hour
later,
she
forced
her
husband
and
two
other
young
men
to
drag
me
from
the
injured
people
to
eat
a
meal
of
roti
bread,
rice,
and
bhajee.
Sen 7623
A
team
of
women
scooped
out
servings
of
saffron
rice,
alu
palak,
kheema,
bhajee,
and
other
foods.
178
suleimani
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.99
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 10546
Later,
while
we
drank
hot
and
very
sweet
Suleimani
chai
in
my
hut,
Abdullah
explained
that
he’d
been
waiting
for
me
in
the
hut,
and
heard
the
dogs.
Sen 16927
The
servant
brought
sweet,
black
suleimani
chai,
in
long
glasses,
and
a
variety
of
irresistible
sweets
on
a
silver
tray.
179
grumpily
prev
next
Definition
Definition
In a surly manner; sullenly. [Colloq.]
Difficulty: 19.43
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 10158
‘They
exiled
him,’
she
corrected
grumpily.
Sen 24794
Didier
had
landed
on
me,
and
I
heard
him
moaning
grumpily.
180
moneychanger
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.43
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 18894
‘We’ve
got
a
moneychanger,
yaar.
Sen 18910
He’s
a
licensed
moneychanger.
181
yatra
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.30
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 2740
‘But
you
still
gave
her
buckets
of
grief
when
she
wore
it
to
the
jazz
yatra,
na?’
Sen 24166
‘He
went
on
a
journey,
a
yatra,
and
I
don’t
know
when
we’ll
see
him.’
182
kholi
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.30
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 11932
I
explained
my
plan
to
Shantu
on
the
way
to
the
kholi
settlement,
adjacent
to
our
slum.
Sen 11986
That
face
remained
with
me
all
the
way
back
to
the
kholi
settlement,
but
when
we
unloaded
the
boat,
and
Shantu
agreed
to
join
Vinod
and
me
for
dinner,
I
let
the
image
of
Rajan’s
malice
melt
into
my
memory.
183
morcha
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.30
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 14108
‘Riot
nahin,
morcha
hain.’
It’s
not
a
riot,
it’s
a
demonstration.
Sen 14338
I
saw
a
morcha,
on
my
way
up
here.’
184
indeterminable
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Not determinable; impossible to be determined; not to be definitely known, ascertained, defined, or limited. -- In`de*ter"mi*na*bly, adv.
An indeterminable thing or quantity. Sir T. Browne.
"determinable": Capable of being determined, definitely ascertained, decided upon, or brought to a conclusion. Not wholly determinable from the grammatical use of the words. South.
Difficulty: 19.18
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 649
She
turned
and
waved
to
him,
then
held
out
her
hand
to
shake
mine
with
a
grip
that
was
firm,
but
emotionally
indeterminable.
Sen 19388
Thoughts
drift
like
ocean
weeds
and
vanish
in
the
distant,
grey
somnolency,
unperceived
and
indeterminable.
185
foetid
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.18
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 12368
Those
foolish
enough
to
enter
were
beaten
and
stripped
naked
by
the
fifty
or
sixty
men
who
crushed
into
that
black
and
foetid
room.
Sen 12444
Make
or
break:
I
made
my
way
in
that
world,
right
there
and
then,
or
I
broke
down,
and
let
myself
be
forced
into
the
foetid
swamp
at
the
end
of
the
corridor.
186
roistering
prev
next
Definition (roister)
Definition (roister)
To bluster; to swagger; to bully; to be bold, noisy, vaunting, or turbulent. I have a roisting challenge sent amongst The dull and factious nobles of the Greeks. Shak.
See Roisterer.
"roisterer": A blustering, turbulent fellow. If two roisterers met, they cocked their hats in each other faces. Macaulay.
"factious": 1. Given to faction; addicted to form parties and raise dissensions, in opposition to government or the common good; turbulent; seditious; prone to clamor against public measures or men; -- said of persons. Factious for the house of Lancaster. Shak. 2. Pertaining to faction; proceeding from faction; indicating, or characterized by, faction; -- said of acts or expressions; as, factious quarrels. Headlong zeal or factious fury. Burke. -- Fac"tious*ly, adv. -- Fac"tious-ness, n.
"bluster": 1. To blow fitfully with violence and noise, as wind; to be windy and boisterous, as the weather. And ever-threatening storms Of Chaos blustering round. Milton. 2. To talk with noisy violence; to swagger, as a turbulent or boasting person; to act in a noisy, tumultuous way; to play the bully; to storm; to rage. Your ministerial directors blustered like tragic tyrants. Burke.
To utter, or do, with noisy violence; to force by blustering; to bully. He bloweth and blustereth out . . . his abominable blasphemy. Sir T. More. As if therewith he meant to bluster all princes into a perfect obedience to his commands. Fuller.
1. Fitful noise and violence, as of a storm; violent winds; boisterousness. To the winds they set Their corners, when with bluster to confound Sea, air, and shore. Milton. 2. Noisy and violent or threatening talk; noisy and boastful language. L'Estrange. Syn. -- Noise; boisterousness; tumult; turbulence; confusion; boasting; swaggering; bullying.
Difficulty: 19.08
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 547
But
as
Prabaker
led
me
on
through
the
roistering
crowd,
he
drew
my
attention
to
other
images
of
those
beggars
that
softened
the
awful
caricature
presented
by
the
performance
of
their
piteousness.
Sen 27375
After
too
many
long
minutes
of
that
brawling
and
roistering,
we
were
near
enough
to
Nariman
Point
to
see
the
tower
of
the
Oberoi
Hotel.
187
roofline
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.98
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 16242
Some
men
appeared
at
the
edge
of
the
roofline
on
the
train
carriage.
Sen 16287
There
was
something
stretched
across
the
tracks,
much
higher
than
the
roofline
of
the
train.
188
moneychangers
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.90
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 13801
One
of
the
moneychangers
tells
the
cops,
Hey,
if
you
wanna
know
about
Lin,
go
ask
in
the
zhopadpatti,
because
he
lives
there.
Sen 15289
I
found
local
moneychangers,
drug
dealers,
tour
guides,
thieves,
and
gigolos
at
each
of
the
beaches.
189
sybaritic
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Of or pertaining to the Sybarites; resembling the Sybarites; luxurious; wanton; effeminate. "Sybaritic dinners." Bp. Warburton. "Sybaritical cloistres." Bp. Hall.
"sybaritical": Of or pertaining to the Sybarites; resembling the Sybarites; luxurious; wanton; effeminate. "Sybaritic dinners." Bp. Warburton. "Sybaritical cloistres." Bp. Hall.
Difficulty: 18.90
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 17610
She
was
beautiful:
a
California
beach
beauty
in
the
carnal
jungle
of
Bombay;
a
pom-pom
girl
who’d
pulled
her-self
out
of
the
death-by-leeches
of
heroin
and
the
sybaritic
suffocation
of
Madame
Zhou’s
Palace.
Sen 24169
One
of
the
sybaritic
splendours
of
Bombay
is
the
limitless
variety
of
relatively
inexpensive,
well-made
clothes
constantly
changing
to
reflect
the
newest
Indian
and
foreign
trends.
190
nahi
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.74
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 15347
Mere
kam,
ki
nahi…
Sen 27730
Malum
nahi,’
the
strong
man
replied.
191
undulations
prev
next
Definition (undulation)
Definition (undulation)
1. The act of undulating; a waving motion or vibration; as, the undulations of a fluid, of water, or of air; the undulations of sound. 2. A wavy appearance or outline; waviness. Evelyn. 3. (Mus.) (a) The tremulous tone produced by a peculiar pressure of the finger on a string, as of a violin. (b) The pulsation caused by the vibrating together of two tones not quite in unison; -- called also beat. 4. (Physics) A motion to and fro, up and down, or from side to side, in any fluid or elastic medium, propagated continuously among its particles, but with no translation of the particles themselves in the direction of the propagation of the wave; a wave motion; a vibration.
"tremulous": 1. Shaking; shivering; quivering; as, a tremulous limb; a tremulous motion of the hand or the lips; the tremulous leaf of the poplar. 2. Affected with fear or timidity; trembling. The tender, tremulous Christian. Dr. H. More. -- Trem"u*lous*ly, adv. -- Trem"u*lous*ness, n.
"undulating": Rising and falling like waves; resembling wave form or motion; undulatory; rolling; wavy; as, an undulating medium; undulating ground. -- Un"du*la`ting*ly. adv.
"propagation": 1. The act of propagating; continuance or multiplication of the kind by generation or successive production; as, the propagation of animals or plants. There is not in nature any spontaneous generation, but all come by propagation. Ray. 2. The spreading abroad, or extension, of anything; diffusion; dissemination; as, the propagation of sound; the propagation of the gospel. Bacon.
"waviness": The quality or state of being wavy.
"pulsation": 1. (Physiol.) A beating or throbbing, especially of the heart or of an artery, or in an inflamed part; a beat of the pulse. 2. A single beat or throb of a series. 3. A stroke or impulse by which some medium is affected, as in the propagation of sounds. 4. (Law) Any touching of another's body willfully or in anger. This constitutes battery. By the Cornelian law, pulsation as well as verberation is prohibited. Blackstone.
Difficulty: 18.67
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 376
The
cement
floor
sloped
downwards,
with
mysterious
lumps
and
irregular
undulations,
toward
the
street
windows.
Sen 7339
The
bare
earth
floor
was
cracked,
and
formed
in
lumpy
undulations.
192
sisterfuckers
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.67
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 9492
One
of
those
fellows,
he
called
our
fellows
the
sisterfuckers.
Sen 12526
Until
then,
we
smoke,
and
pray
to
the
God,
and
bite
any
sisterfuckers
who
try
to
take
our
plates,
na?’
193
chappals
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.67
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 19752
When
at
last
I
heard
the
sliding,
scuffing
sound
of
his
chappals
as
he
approached
the
door
I
smeared
the
sorrow
from
my
face,
and
switched
on
the
lamp.
Sen 27740
Their
shoes
or
chappals
must’ve
been
soled
with
soft
rubber.
194
lambent
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Playing on the surface; touching lightly; gliding over. "A lambent flame." Dryden. "A lambent style." Beaconsfield. 2. Twinkling or gleaming; fickering. "The lambent purity of the stars." W. Irving.
Difficulty: 18.61
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 8437
He
bent
low
to
place
a
tray
on
the
floor
between
us,
and
for
a
moment
I
stared
into
the
lambent
blackness
of
his
eyes.
Sen 28601
Beings
of
such
lambent
compassion,
such
sublime
equanimity,
that
in
my
broken,
exiled
heart
I
pledged
to
love
them,
as
every
man
and
woman
who
saw
them
did.
195
unselfconscious
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.55
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 5696
It
was
a
good
laugh,
guileless
and
completely
unselfconscious,
and
I
suddenly
liked
him
because
of
it.
Sen 21258
Delighted
and
flushed
with
unselfconscious
pride,
he
beamed
one
of
his
rare
smiles
at
me.
196
kahan
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.55
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 24130
‘Khaderbhai
kahan
hain?’
Where
is
Khaderbhai?
Sen 27228
‘Kano-walleh
kahan
hey?’
I
asked.
197
floodlit
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.44
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 4744
To
the
right
there
were
neon
lights
and
floodlit
fountains.
Sen 24502
A
dozen
steps
led
into
the
floodlit
cellar.
198
chillums
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.38
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 4564
The
Babas
moved
from
man
to
man
and
group
to
group,
preparing
hashish
in
funnel-shaped
clay
chillums
for
the
customers,
and
smoking
with
them.
Sen 4594
One
of
the
Standing
Babas
approached
us
slowly
with
an
acolyte
who
held
a
silver
tray
containing
chillums,
charras,
and
the
paraphernalia
of
smoking.
199
suppurating
prev
next
Definition (suppurate)
Definition (suppurate)
To generate pus; as, a boil or abscess suppurates.
To cause to generate pus; as, to suppurate a sore. Arbuthnot.
Difficulty: 18.34
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 12649
In
any
one
night
there
were
three
to
five
bites;
in
a
week,
there
were
twenty;
and,
in
a
month,
there
were
a
hundred
suppurating,
infected
sores
on
a
man’s
body.
Sen 12920
My
body
was
covered
in
the
small,
suppurating
sores
caused
by
the
bites
of
the
nocturnal
kadmal.
200
shambled
prev
next
Definition (shamble)
Definition (shamble)
1. (Mining) One of a succession of niches or platforms, one above another, to hold ore which is thrown successively from platform to platform, and thus raised to a higher level. 2. pl. A place where butcher's meat is sold. As summer flies are in the shambles. Shak. 3. pl. A place for slaughtering animals for meat. To make a shambles of the parliament house. Shak.
To walk awkwardly and unsteadily, as if the knees were weak; to shuffle along.
"successively": In a successive manner. The whiteness, at length, changed successively into blue, indigo, and violet. Sir I. Newton.
Difficulty: 18.20
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 2347
I
hesitated,
but
when
the
awkward
star
of
his
shuffling
form
melted
in
the
darkness
and
vanished,
I
too
put
my
feet
out
against
the
walls
and
shambled
after
him.
Sen 5382
Nevertheless,
the
round-up
did
mean
days,
weeks,
or
even
months
of
confinement
for
the
young
men
in
prisons
that
were
as
bad
as
any
in
Asia,
and
the
caravans
of
roped,
arrested
men
that
shambled
throughout
the
city,
after
midnight,
were
more
melancholy
and
forlorn
than
most
funeral
processions.
201
shamble
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. (Mining) One of a succession of niches or platforms, one above another, to hold ore which is thrown successively from platform to platform, and thus raised to a higher level. 2. pl. A place where butcher's meat is sold. As summer flies are in the shambles. Shak. 3. pl. A place for slaughtering animals for meat. To make a shambles of the parliament house. Shak.
To walk awkwardly and unsteadily, as if the knees were weak; to shuffle along.
"successively": In a successive manner. The whiteness, at length, changed successively into blue, indigo, and violet. Sir I. Newton.
Difficulty: 18.20
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 4745
To
the
left
there
was
no
electricity,
no
running
water,
no
toilets,
and
no
certainty
that
the
whole
shamble
and
bustle
of
it
wouldn’t
be
swept
away,
from
one
day
to
the
next,
by
the
same
authorities
that
reluctantly
tolerated
it.
Sen 11517
I
was
watching
him
shamble
away
down
the
lane
toward
the
street,
worrying
about
him,
worrying
about
his
young
son,
Satish,
who
was
also
ill,
when
I
saw
a
woman
in
the
distance
walking
toward
me.
202
rankled
prev
next
Definition (rankle)
Definition (rankle)
1. To become, or be, rank; to grow rank or strong; to be inflamed; to fester; -- used literally and figuratively. A malady that burns and rankles inward. Rowe. This would have left a rankling wound in the hearts of the people. Burke. 2. To produce a festering or inflamed effect; to cause a sore; -- used literally and figuratively; as, a splinter rankles in the flesh; the words rankled in his bosom.
To cause to fester; to make sore; to inflame. [R.] Beau. & Fl.
Difficulty: 18.16
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 7790
It
still
rankled.
Sen 25344
The
question
still
rankled
six
months
later.
203
reverential
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Proceeding from, or expressing, reverence; having a reverent quality; reverent; as, reverential fear or awe. "A reverential esteem of things sacred." South.
"reverent": 1. Disposed to revere; impressed with reverence; submissive; humble; respectful; as, reverent disciples. "They . . . prostrate fell before him reverent." Milton. 2. Expressing reverence, veneration, devotion, or submission; as, reverent words; reverent behavior. Joye.
Difficulty: 18.08
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 17593
For
Lisa
Carter,
and
others
like
her,
the
dream
world
of
movies
inspired
an
almost
reverential
awe.
Sen 22895
And
because
Suleiman’s
commission
had
come
directly
from
Massoud,
the
Lion
of
the
Panjsher,
the
men
gave
him
an
equally
reverential
respect.
204
transacted
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.01
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 1379
Yet
a
peculiar
dialectic
applied
to
the
relationships
between
upstairs
and
down,
inside
and
outside
the
restaurant,
and
governed
all
of
the
business
transacted
there.
Sen 1382
Deals
for
drugs
and
other
contraband
were
openly
transacted
at
the
tables,
but
the
goods
could
only
be
exchanged
outside
the
bar.
205
fusillade
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A simultaneous discharge of firearms.
To shoot down of shoot at by a simultaneous discharge of firearms.
Difficulty: 18.01
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 19194
It
was
torn
apart
by
the
fusillade.’
Sen 26022
‘Get
the
fuck
outta
here!’
I
spluttered,
more
shocked
by
his
intention
to
marry
than
I
was
by
his
survival
of
the
killing
fusillade.
206
clamorous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Speaking and repeating loud words; full of clamor; calling or demanding loudly or urgently; vociferous; noisy; bawling; loud; turbulent. "My young ones were clamorous for a morning's excursion." Southey. -- Clam"or*ous*ly, adv. -- Clam"or*ous*ness, n.
"vociferous": Making a loud outcry; clamorous; noisy; as, vociferous heralds. -- Vo*cif"er*ous*ly, adv. -- Vo*cif"er*ous*ness, n.
Difficulty: 17.98
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 1357
Alone
again,
I
sat
down,
set
my
chair
against
the
wall,
and
let
the
activity
of
Leopold’s
and
its
clamorous
patrons
close
over
me.
Sen 5738
We
passed
through
a
wide
stone
arch,
along
a
corridor
and,
after
climbing
two
flights
of
stairs,
we
entered
a
vast
room
filled
with
people,
smoke,
and
clamorous
music.
207
castigated
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next
Definition (castigate)
Definition (castigate)
1. To punish by stripes; to chastise by blows; to chasten; also, to chastise verbally; to reprove; to criticise severely. 2. To emend; to correct. [Obs.]
"chastise": 1. To inflict pain upon, by means of stripes, or in any other manner, for the purpose of punishment or reformation; to punish, as with stripes. How fine my master is! I am afraid He will chastise me. Shak. I am glad to see the vanity or envy of the canting chemists thus discovered and chastised. Boyle. 2. To reduce to order or obedience; to correct or purify; to free from faults or excesses. The gay, social sense, by decency chastised. Thomson. Syn. -- See Chasten.
"emend": To purge of faults; to make better; to correct; esp., to make corrections in (a literary work); to alter for the better by textual criticism, generally verbal. Syn. -- To amend; correct; improve; better; reform; rectify. See Amend.
"chasten": 1. To correct by punishment; to inflict pain upon the purpose of reclaiming; to discipline; as, to chasten a son with a rod. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth. Heb. xii. 6. 2. To purify from errors or faults; to refine. They [classics] chasten and enlarge the mind, and excite to noble actions. Layard. Syn. -- To chastise; punish; correct; discipline; castigate; afflict; subdue; purify. To Chasten, Punish, Chastise. To chasten is to subject to affliction or trouble, in order to produce a general change for the better in life or character. To punish is to inflict penalty for violation of law, disobedience to authority, or intentional wrongdoing. To chastise is to punish a particular offense, as with stripes, especially with the hope that suffering or disgrace may prevent a repetition of faults.
"reprove": 1. To convince. [Obs.] When he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. John xvi. 9. 2. To disprove; to refute. [Obs.] Reprove my allegation, if you can. Shak. 3. To chide to the face as blameworthy; to accuse as guilty; to censure. What if thy son Prove disobedient, and, reproved, retort, "Wherefore didst thou beget me" Milton. 4. To express disapprobation of; as, to reprove faults. He neither reproved the ordinance of John, neither plainly condemned the fastings of the other men. Udall. Syn. -- To reprehend; chide; rebuke; scold; blame censure. -- Reprove, Rebuke, Reprimand. These words all signufy the expression of disapprobation. To reprove implies greater calmness and self-possession. To rebuke implies a more excited and personal feeling. A reproof may be administered long after the offience is committed, and is usually intended for the reformation of the offender; a rebuke is commonly given at the moment of the wrong, and is administered by way of punishment and condemnation. A reprimand proceeds from a person invested with authority, and is a formal and offiscial act. A child is reproved for his faults, and rebuked for his impudence. A military officer is reprimanded for neglect or violation of duty.
Difficulty: 17.95
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 3917
The
brothers
of
the
murdered
man
stalked
among
them,
giving
encouragement
and
consolation
while
they
castigated
the
backsliders
for
their
cowardice.
Sen 4297
He
castigated
the
men
for
shaming
their
own
country
and
their
own
people
by
beating
and
robbing
a
foreigner,
a
visitor
to
their
country
who’d
done
them
no
harm.
208
bagmen
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.95
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 13623
Every
morning
he
visited
the
bagmen
for
each
area,
and
handed
over
bundles
of
rupees
for
the
street
traders
to
use
as
their
float.
Sen 13626
Bagmen
did
the
rounds
of
traders
throughout
the
day,
supplying
them
with
cash
as
they
needed
it.
209
kapok
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A silky wool derived from the seeds of Ceiba pentandra (syn. Eriodendron anfractuosum), a bombaceous tree of the East and West Indies.
Difficulty: 17.95
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 9231
Kapok
mattresses
were
available,
but
they
were
impractical.
Sen 19730
The
room
I
chose
had
a
cot
with
a
kapok
mattress,
a
weathered
carpet,
a
small
cabinet
with
wickerwork
doors,
a
lamp
with
a
silk
lampshade,
and
a
large
clay
matka
filled
with
water.
210
testily
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.91
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 6157
‘Yes,
yes,’
he
answered
testily.
Sen 10125
‘Yeah,
I
know
who
you’re
talking
about,’
I
said
testily,
irritated
by
the
conversational
non
sequitur.
211
smoulders
prev
next
Definition (smoulder)
Definition (smoulder)
1. To burn and smoke without flame; to waste away by a slow and supressed combustion. The smoldering dust did round about him smoke. Spenser. 2. To exist in a state of suppressed or smothered activity; to burn inwardly; as, a smoldering feud.
To smother; to suffocate; to choke. [Obs.] Holinshed. Palsgrave.
Smoke; smother. [Obs.] The smolder stops our nose with stench. Gascoigne.
See Smolder.
"inwardly": 1. In the inner parts; internally. Let Benedick, like covered fire, Consume away in sighs, waste inwardly. Shak. 2. Toward the center; inward; as, to curve inwardly. 3. In the heart or mind; mentally; privately; secretas, he inwardly repines. 4. Intimately; thoroughly. [Obs.] I shall desire to know him more inwardly. Beau. & Fl.
"palsgrave": A count or earl who presided in the domestic court, and had the superintendence, of a royal household in Germany.
"smolder": 1. To burn and smoke without flame; to waste away by a slow and supressed combustion. The smoldering dust did round about him smoke. Spenser. 2. To exist in a state of suppressed or smothered activity; to burn inwardly; as, a smoldering feud.
To smother; to suffocate; to choke. [Obs.] Holinshed. Palsgrave.
Smoke; smother. [Obs.] The smolder stops our nose with stench. Gascoigne.
Difficulty: 17.88
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 113
Then
the
smoulders
of
shame
and
guilt
flamed
into
anger,
became
fist-tightening
rage
at
the
unfairness
of
it:
What
kind
of
a
government,
I
thought,
what
kind
of
a
system
allows
suffering
like
this?
Sen 7947
In
the
eyes
of
some,
I
saw
smoulders
of
shame
for
what
the
council’s
power
had
forced
too
many
of
us
to
think:
Thank
God
…
Thank
God
it’s
not
me
…
212
disconsolate
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Disconsolateness. [Obs.] Barrow.
1. Destitute of consolation; deeply dejected and dispirited; hopelessly sad; comfortless; filled with grief; as, a bereaved and disconsolate parent. One morn a Peri at the gate Of Eden stood disconsolate. Moore. The ladies and the knights, no shelter nigh, Were dropping wet, disconsolate and wan. Dryden. 2. Inspiring dejection; saddening; cheerless; as, the disconsolate darkness of the winter nights. Ray. Syn. -- Forlorn; melancholy; sorrowful; desolate; woeful; hopeless; gloomy. -- Dis*con"so*late*ly, adv. -- Dis*con"so*late*ness, n.
"dispirited": Depressed in spirits; disheartened; daunted. -- Dis*pir"it*ed*ly, adv. -- Dis*pir"it*ed, n.
"comfortless": Without comfort or comforts; in want or distress; cheerless. Comfortless through turanny or might. Spenser. Syn. -- Forlorn; desolate; cheerless; inconsolable; disconsolate; wretched; miserable. -- Com"fort*less*ly, adv. -- Com"fort*less*ness, n. When all is coldly, comfortlessly costly. Milton.
"cheerless": Without joy, gladness, or comfort. -- Cheer"less*ly, adv. -- Cheer"less*ness, n. My cheerful day is turned to cheerles night. Spenser. Syn. -- Gloomy; sad; comfortless; dispiriting; dicsconsolate; dejected; melancholy; forlorn.
"dejection": 1. A casting down; depression. [Obs. or Archaic] Hallywell. 2. The act of humbling or abasing one's self. Adoration implies submission and dejection. Bp. Pearson. 3. Lowness of spirits occasioned by grief or misfortune; mental depression; melancholy. What besides, Of sorrow, and dejection, and despair, Our frailty can sustain, thy tidings bring. Milton. 4. A low condition; weakness; inability. [R.] A dejection of appetite. Arbuthnot. 5. (Physiol.) (a) The discharge of excrement. (b) Fæces; excrement. Ray.
Difficulty: 17.82
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 9553
His
expression—and
I
have
no
other
way
of
describing
the
set
of
his
features,
other
than
as
an
expression—was
disconsolate
and
profoundly
distressed.
Sen 23140
And
slowly,
one
ice-edged
hour
at
a
time,
the
knife
of
war
whittled
the
wishing
and
hoping
away
until
all
that
was
left
to
us,
within
the
hard,
disconsolate
wrap
of
our
own
arms
around
our
own
shivering
bodies,
was
the
lonely
will
to
survive.
213
quizzically
prev
next
Definition (quizzical)
Definition (quizzical)
Relating to quizzing: given to quizzing; of the nature of a quiz; farcical; sportive. -- Quiz"zic*al*ly, adv.
"sportive": Tending to, engaged in, or provocate of, sport; gay; froliscome; playful; merry. Is it I That drive thee from the sportive court Shak. -- Sport"ive*ly, adv. -- Sport"ive*ness, n.
"farcical": Pertaining to farce; appropriated to farce; ludicrous; unnatural; unreal. They deny the characters to be farcical, because they are Gay. -- Far"ci*cal*ly, adv. -Far"ci*cal*ness, n.
Of or pertaining to the disease called farcy. See Farcy, n.
Difficulty: 17.80
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 9725
He
smiled,
and
raised
one
eyebrow
quizzically,
but
he
said
nothing
more,
and
I
was
forced
to
explain
myself
further.
Sen 20218
He
raised
one
eyebrow
quizzically.
214
pendulous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Depending; pendent loosely; hanging; swinging. Shak. "The pendulous round earth. Milton. 2. Wavering; unstable; doubtful. [R.] "A pendulous state of mind." Atterbury. 3. (Bot.) Inclined or hanging downwards, as a flower on a recurved stalk, or an ovule which hangs from the upper part of the ovary.
"pendent": 1. Supported from above; suspended; depending; pendulous; hanging; as, a pendent leaf. "The pendent world." Shak. Often their tresses, when shaken, with pendent icicles tinkle. Longfellow. 2. Jutting over; projecting; overhanging. "A vapor sometime like a . . . pendent rock." Shak.
"recurved": Curved in an opposite or uncommon direction; bent back; as, a bird with a recurved bill; flowers with recurved petals.
"ovule": (a) The rudiment of a seed. It grows from a placenta, and consists of a soft nucleus within two delicate coatings. The attached base of the ovule is the hilum, the coatings are united with the nucleus at the chalaza, and their minute orifice is the foramen. (b) An ovum.
Difficulty: 17.74
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 4217
The
woman
then
scowled
dramatically
left
and
right
along
the
corridor
before
raising
her
blouse
a
few
centimetres
to
reveal
a
long,
thin,
pendulous
breast.
Sen 9808
His
most
striking
feature
was
his
nose,
an
instrument
so
huge
and
magnificently
pendulous
that
is
seemed
designed
for
some
purpose
altogether
more
grand
than
merely
inhaling
air
and
fragrances.
215
bouffant
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.72
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 3923
One
of
them,
Raju,
a
tall
boy
with
the
handsome
face
and
bouffant
hairstyle
of
a
Bombay
movie
star,
had
a
gun.
Sen 25014
He
was
thirty
years
old,
fit
and
heavy-set,
with
thick,
dark-brown
hair
that
he
blow-dried
to
match
the
bouffant
of
the
movie
heroes.
216
diffident
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Wanting confidence in others; distrustful. [Archaic] You were always extremely diffident of their success. Melmoth. 2. Wanting confidence in one's self; distrustful of one's own powers; not self-reliant; timid; modest; bashful; characterized by modest reserve. The diffident maidens, Folding their hands in prayer. Longfellow. Syn. -- Distrustful; suspicious; hesitating; doubtful; modest; bashful; lowly; reserved.
"distrustful": 1. Not confident; diffident; wanting confidence or thrust; modest; as, distrustful of ourselves, of one's powers. Distrustful sense with modest caution speaks. Pope. 2. Apt to distrust; suspicious; mistrustful. Boyle. -- Dis*trust"ful*ly, adv. -- Dis*trust"ful*ness, n.
Difficulty: 17.69
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 10378
A
diffident
smile
flickered
on
her
lips.
Sen 18095
The
point
man
for
Maurizio’s
operation
in
Bombay
was
the
diffident,
dour
Spaniard,
Sebastian
Modena.
217
dejection
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. A casting down; depression. [Obs. or Archaic] Hallywell. 2. The act of humbling or abasing one's self. Adoration implies submission and dejection. Bp. Pearson. 3. Lowness of spirits occasioned by grief or misfortune; mental depression; melancholy. What besides, Of sorrow, and dejection, and despair, Our frailty can sustain, thy tidings bring. Milton. 4. A low condition; weakness; inability. [R.] A dejection of appetite. Arbuthnot. 5. (Physiol.) (a) The discharge of excrement. (b) Fæces; excrement. Ray.
"lowness": The state or quality of being low.
Difficulty: 17.67
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 14355
‘Drop
me
off,
and
keep
the
cab,’
he
said,
resting
back
against
the
seat
and
letting
his
face
and
body
sag
in
a
sigh
of
exhaustion
or
dejection.
Sen 22319
He
was
calm,
but
I
knew
him
well
enough
to
see
the
dejection
that
hooded
his
eyes.
218
clownish
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Of or resembling a clown, or characteristic of a clown; ungainly; awkward. "Clownish hands." Spenser. "Clownish mimic." Prior. -- Clown"ish*ly, adv. Syn. -- Coarse; rough; clumsy; awkward; ungainly; rude; uncivil; ill- bred; boorish; rustic; untutored.
"ungainly": 1. Not gainly; not expert or dexterous; clumsy; awkward; uncouth; as, an ungainly strut in walking. His ungainly figure and eccentric manners. Macaulay. 2. Unsuitable; unprofitable. [Obs.] Hammond.
In an ungainly manner.
"uncivil": 1. Not civilized; savage; barbarous; uncivilized. Men can not enjoy the rights of an uncivil and of a civil state together. Burke. 2. Not civil; not complaisant; discourteous; impolite; rude; unpolished; as, uncivil behavior.
Difficulty: 17.67
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 15949
With
clownish
charm
he
held
his
open
palms
beside
his
smiling
face
one
moment,
and
then
pumped
his
groin
back
and
forth
with
a
determined
little
grimace
the
next.
Sen 20858
While
I
never
managed
to
eliminate
my
clownish,
arm-and-leg-flapping
gestures
when
I
made
the
animals
stop
or
go
or
turn
in
a
desired
direction,
I
sometimes
did
succeed
in
dismounting
them
by
climbing
down
rather
than
being
hurled
to
the
ground
on
my
back.
219
tremulous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Shaking; shivering; quivering; as, a tremulous limb; a tremulous motion of the hand or the lips; the tremulous leaf of the poplar. 2. Affected with fear or timidity; trembling. The tender, tremulous Christian. Dr. H. More. -- Trem"u*lous*ly, adv. -- Trem"u*lous*ness, n.
"timidity": The quality or state of being timid; timorousness; timidness.
Difficulty: 17.67
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 16998
And
by
the
time
I
swept
into
the
last
curve
of
coast
near
the
Sea
Rock
Hotel,
my
mind
was
as
clear
as
the
broad
horizon
clamped
upon
the
limit
of
a
dark
and
tremulous
sea.
Sen 26847
So
Chandra
Mehta
smiled
at
me,
and
was
glad
to
see
me,
and
tried
to
pull
me
tighter
into
the
tremulous
clutch
of
his
friendship
whenever
our
paths
crossed.
220
gazal
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.64
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 5531
The
soul-wrenching
strains
of
a
romantic
gazal
slammed
out
at
maximum
volume
from
speakers
behind
our
heads.
Sen 5792
‘Urdu
is
the
language
of
gazals,
and
these
are
the
best
gazal
singers
in
all
Bombay,’
he
replied.
221
sonorous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Giving sound when struck; resonant; as, sonorous metals. 2. Loud-sounding; giving a clear or loud sound; as, a sonorous voice. 3. Yielding sound; characterized by sound; vocal; sonant; as, the vowels are sonorous. 4. Impressive in sound; high-sounding. The Italian opera, amidst all the meanness and familiarty of the thoughts, has something beautiful and sonorous in the expression. Addison. There is nothing of the artificial Johnsonian balance in his style. It is as often marked by a pregnant brevity as by a sonorous amplitude. E. Everett. 5. (Med.) Sonant; vibrant; hence, of sounds produced in a cavity, deep- toned; as, sonorous rhonchi. Sonorous figures (Physics), figures formed by the vibrations of a substance capable of emitting a musical tone, as when the bow of a violin is drawn along the edge of a piece of glass or metal on which sand is strewed, and the sand arranges itself in figures according to the musical tone. Called also acoustic figures. -- Sonorous tumor (Med.), a tumor which emits a clear, resonant sound on percussion. -- So*no"rous*ly, adv. -- So*no"rous*ness, n.
"sonant": 1. Of or pertaining to sound; sounding. 2. (Phonetics) Uttered, as an element of speech, with tone or proper vocal sound, as distinguished from mere breath sound; intonated; voiced; tonic; the opposite of nonvocal, or surd; -- sid of the vowels, semivowels, liquids, and nasals, and particularly of the consonants b, d, g hard, v, etc., as compared with their cognates p, t, k, f, etc., which are called nonvocal, surd, or aspirate. -- n. A sonant letter.
"amplitude": 1. State of being ample; extent of surface or space; largeness of dimensions; size. The cathedral of Lincoln . . . is a magnificent structure, proportionable to the amplitude of the diocese. Fuller. 2. Largeness, in a figurative sense; breadth; abundance; fullness. (a) Of extent of capacity or intellectual powers. "Amplitude of mind." Milton. "Amplitude of comprehension." Macaulay. (b) Of extent of means or resources. "Amplitude of reward." Bacon. 3. (Astron.) (a) The arc of the horizon between the true east or west point and the center of the sun, or a star, at its rising or setting. At the rising, the amplitude is eastern or ortive: at the setting, it is western, occiduous, or occasive. It is also northern or southern, when north or south of the equator. (b) The arc of the horizon between the true east or west point and the foot of the vertical circle passing through any star or object. 4. (Gun.) The horizontal line which measures the distance to which a projectile is thrown; the range. 5. (Physics) The extent of a movement measured from the starting point or position of equilibrium; -- applied especially to vibratory movements. 6. (math.) An angle upon which the value of some function depends; -- a term used more especially in connection with elliptic functions. Magnetic amplitude, the angular distance of a heavenly body, when on the horizon, from the magnetic east or west point as indicated by the compass. The difference between the magnetic and the true or astronomical amplitude (see 3 above) is the "variation of the compass."
"johnsonian": Pertaining to or resembling Dr. Johnson or his style; pompous; inflated.
"brevity": 1. Shortness of duration; briefness of time; as, the brevity of human life. 2. Contraction into few words; conciseness. Brevity is the soul of wit. Shak. This argument is stated by St. John with his usual elegant brevity and simplicity. Bp. Porteus. Syn. -- Shortness; conciseness; succinctness; terseness.
"resonant": Returning, or capable of returning, sound; fitted to resound; resounding; echoing back. Through every hour of the golden morning, the streets were resonant with female parties of young and old. De Quincey.
Difficulty: 17.57
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 663
Her
voice,
in
that
language
and
in
that
conversation,
was
surprisingly
deep
and
sonorous;
the
hairs
on
my
arms
tingled
in
response
to
the
sound
of
it.
Sen 25454
He
loved
to
laugh
and
tell
stories,
and
his
self-assured,
sonorous
voice
compelled
attention.
222
pugnacious
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Disposed to fight; inclined to fighting; quarrelsome; fighting. --Pug*na"cious*ly, adv. -- Pug*na"cious*ness, n.
"quarrelsome": Apt or disposed to quarrel; given to brawls and contention; easily irritated or provoked to contest; irascible; choleric. Syn. -- Pugnacious; irritable; irascible; brawling; choleric; fiery; petulant. -- Quar"rel*some*ly, adv. -- Quar"rel*some*ness, n.
Difficulty: 17.55
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 6306
Many
of
the
men
had
a
defiant
and
even
a
jaunty
air
about
them—a
kind
of
pugnacious
ugliness
that
was
fascinating
in
itself.
Sen 9804
The
third
was
drawn
by
the
desperate,
pugnacious
unhappiness
of
his
mouth,
the
upside-down
horseshoe
of
bad
luck
that
fate
had
nailed
to
the
doorpost
of
his
life.
223
preternaturally
prev
next
Definition
Definition
In a preternatural manner or degree. Bacon.
Difficulty: 17.55
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 7006
His
usual
smile
was
preternaturally
wide
and
his
dark
eyes
were
happy.
Sen 9426
It
seemed
preternaturally
quiet:
the
haunted
stillness
of
a
popular
bar,
closed
for
business.
224
kulfi
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.55
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 18963
It
began
with
a
white
soup
entree
made
with
lamb
cooked
in
blanched-almond
milk,
worked
its
way
through
grilled
chicken
in
a
cayenne,
cumin,
and
mango
marinade,
and
ended,
after
many
other
side
platters,
with
fruit
salad,
honey
kachori
balls,
and
kulfi
ice
cream.
Sen 25010
We’d
worked
our
way
through
a
big
but
healthy
lunch
and
kulfi
dessert,
and
had
moved
on
to
our
second
coffee.
225
seaward
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Directed or situated toward the sea. Donne. Two still clouds . . . sparkled on their seaward edges like a frosted fleece. G. W. Cable.
Toward the sea. Drayton.
Difficulty: 17.47
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 372
It
was
a
large
room,
with
three
single
beds
covered
by
sheets,
one
window
to
the
seaward
side,
and
a
row
of
windows
that
looked
down
upon
a
busy
street.
Sen 7725
Smoke
rose
in
drifts
from
cooking
fires,
and
stuttered
on
a
sluggish
seaward
breeze
to
disperse
over
a
scattering
of
canoes
that
fished
the
muddy
shore.
226
portentous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Of the nature of a portent; containing portents; foreschadowing, esp. foreschadowing ill; ominous. For, I believe, they are portentous things. Shak. Victories of strange and almost portentous splendor. Macaulay. 2. Hence: Monstrous; prodigious; wonderful; dreadful; as, a beast of portentous size. Roscommon. -- Por*tent"ous*ly, adv. -- Por*tent"ous*ness, n.
"portent": That which portends, or foretoken; esp., that which portends evil; a sign of coming calamity; an omen; a sign. Shak. My loss by dire portents the god foretold. Dryden.
Difficulty: 17.47
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 7794
Her
tone
was
suddenly
serious,
portentous.
Sen 16987
As
I
rode
the
wind,
a
week
after
Khader’s
little
lecture
on
ethics,
weaving
the
bike
through
ancient-modern
traffic
beneath
a
darkening,
portentous
tumble
of
clouds,
those
words
echoed
in
my
mind.
227
fluency
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The quality of being fluent; smoothness; readiness of utterance; volubility. The art of expressing with fluency and perspicuity. Macaulay.
"volubility": The quality or state of being voluble (in any of the senses of the adjective).
"perspicuity": 1. The quality or state of being transparent or translucent. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne. 2. The quality of being perspicuous to the understanding; clearness of expression or thought. 3. Sagacity; perspicacity. Syn. -- Clearness; perspicuousness; plainness; distinctness; lucidity; transparency. See Clearness.
"utterance": 1. The act of uttering. Specifically: -- (a) Sale by offering to the public. [Obs.] Bacon. (b) Putting in circulation; as, the utterance of false coin, or of forged notes. (c) Vocal expression; articulation; speech. At length gave utterance to these words. Milton. 2. Power or style of speaking; as, a good utterance. They . . . began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts ii. 4. O, how unlike To that large utterance of the early gods! Keats.
The last extremity; the end; death; outrance. [Obs.] Annibal forced those captives whom he had taken of our men to skirmish one against another to the utterance. Holland.
"smoothness": Quality or state of being smooth.
Difficulty: 17.39
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 8348
Karla
was
young
and
attractive,
sure,
but
most
of
the
driver’s
reaction
was
inspired
by
her
fluency
with
his
language,
and
the
way
she
used
it
to
deal
with
him.
Sen 20332
My
fluency
had
forced
him
to
communicate
with
me
in
Urdu
most
of
the
time.
228
tabla
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.39
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 12872
Sitting
in
circles
of
twelve
or
more
men,
and
tapping
on
their
upturned
aluminium
plates
as
if
they
were
tabla
drums,
the
prisoners
sang
love
songs
from
their
favourite
movies.
Sen 20794
I
watched
the
long,
slender
fingers
of
the
tabla
players
clap
and
caress
the
trembling
skins
of
the
drums,
and
I
felt
my
thoughts
drift
away
from
me
in
the
hypnotic
flutter
and
flow
of
the
music.
229
packhorses
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.39
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 21292
There
were
ten
men
walking,
twenty
men
riding,
fifteen
packhorses,
and
a
herd
of
ten
goats.
Sen 21934
Siddiqi
was
strapped
across
one
of
the
packhorses,
as
was
the
body
of
Madjid,
the
Afghan
who’d
been
killed
in
the
attack.
230
perceptible
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Capable of being perceived; cognizable; discernible; perceivable. With a perceptible blast of the air. Bacon. -- Per*cep"ti*ble*ness, n. -- Per*cep"ti*bly, adv.
"cognizable": 1. Capable of being known or apprehended; as, cognizable causes. 2. Fitted to be a subject of judicial investigation; capable of being judicially heard and determined. Cognizable both in the ecclesiastical and secular courts. Ayliffe.
"discernible": Capable of being discerned by the eye or the understanding; as, a star is discernible by the eye; the identity of difference of ideas is discernible by the understanding. The effect of the privations and sufferings . . . was discernible to the last in his temper and deportment. Macaulay. Syn. -- Perceptible; distinguishable; apparent; visible; evident; manifest.
"perceivable": Capable of being perceived; perceptible. -- Per*ceiv"a*bly, adv.
Difficulty: 17.29
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 8114
I
looked
at
the
back
of
her
head,
at
the
small
part
of
her
profile,
at
the
barely
perceptible
bump
of
her
breasts
beneath
the
green
shawl,
and
the
long,
thin
fingers
making
prayer
in
her
lap,
and
I
couldn’t
imagine
her
living
with
someone.
Sen 9054
There
was
a
perceptible
sharpening
of
focus
and
attention
in
the
few
silent
moments
as
Khaderbhai
gathered
his
thoughts.
231
reflexive
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Etym: [Cf. F. réflexif.] Bending or turned backward; reflective; having respect to something past. Assurance reflexive can not be a divine faith. Hammond. 2. Implying censure. [Obs.] "What man does not resent an ugly reflexive word" South. 3. (Gram.) Having for its direct object a pronoun which refers to the agent or subject as its antecedent; -- said of certain verbs; as, the witness perjured himself; I bethought myself. Applied also to pronouns of this class; reciprocal; reflective. -- Re*flex"ive*ly, adv. -- Re*flex"ive*ness, n.
In a reflex manner; reflectively.
"antecedent": 1. Going before in time; prior; anterior; preceding; as, an event antecedent to the Deluge; an antecedent cause. 2. Presumptive; as, an antecedent improbability. Syn. -- Prior; previous; foregoing.
1. That which goes before in time; that which precedes. South. The Homeric mythology, as well as the Homeric language, has surely its antecedents. Max Miller. 2. One who precedes or goes in front. [Obs.] My antecedent, or my gentleman usher. Massinger. 3. pl. The earlier events of one's life; previous principles, conduct, course, history. J. H. Newman. If the troops . . . prove worthy of their antecedents, the victory is surely ours. Gen. G. McClellan. 4. (Gram.) The noun to which a relative refers; as, in the sentence "Solomon was the prince who built the temple," prince is the antecedent of who. 5. (Logic) (a) The first or conditional part of a hypothetical proposition; as, If the earth is fixed, the sun must move. (b) The first of the two propositions which constitute an enthymeme or contracted syllogism; as, Every man is mortal; therefore the king must die. 6. (Math.) The first of the two terms of a ratio; the first or third of the four terms of a proportion. In the ratio a:b, a is the antecedent, and b the consequent.
"etym": See Etymon. H. F. Talbot.
"pronoun": A word used instead of a noun or name, to avoid the repetition of it. The personal pronouns in English are I, thou or you, he, she, it, we, ye, and they.
"bethought": imp. & p. p. of Bethink.
Difficulty: 17.29
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 14057
Every
squeeze
of
the
spray
was
followed
by
a
reflexive,
polishing
rub
of
his
brass
taxi
driver’s
identification
badge,
which
he
wore
with
swaggering
pride.
Sen 22003
‘For
Christ’s
sake!’
I
sighed,
with
a
last
reflexive
giggle
of
laughter.
232
inexpressible
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Not capable of expression or utterance in language; ineffable; unspeakable; indescribable; unutterable; as, inexpressible grief or pleasure. "Inexpressible grandeur." Blair. In orbs Of circuit inexpressible they stood. Milton.
"ineffable": Incapable of being expresses in words; unspeakable; unutterable; indescribable; as, the ineffable joys of heaven. Contentment with our lot . . . will diffuse ineffable contenBeattie.
"unutterable": Not utterable; incapable of being spoken or voiced; inexpressible; ineffable; unspeakable; as, unutterable anguish. Sighed and looked unutterable things. Thomson. -- Un*ut"ter*a*ble*ness, n. -- Un*ut"ter*a*bly, adv.
"utterance": 1. The act of uttering. Specifically: -- (a) Sale by offering to the public. [Obs.] Bacon. (b) Putting in circulation; as, the utterance of false coin, or of forged notes. (c) Vocal expression; articulation; speech. At length gave utterance to these words. Milton. 2. Power or style of speaking; as, a good utterance. They . . . began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts ii. 4. O, how unlike To that large utterance of the early gods! Keats.
The last extremity; the end; death; outrance. [Obs.] Annibal forced those captives whom he had taken of our men to skirmish one against another to the utterance. Holland.
Difficulty: 17.27
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 7093
In
its
brawny
grip,
it
seemed
to
me
that
I
was
floating,
or
perhaps
falling,
from
some
exalted
place
of
inexpressible
peace
and
promise.
Sen 7968
There
was
such
sad
tenderness
in
it
that,
for
a
second
or
two,
I
floated
free,
and
was
adrift
in
its
inexpressible
kindnesses.
233
mafiosi
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.27
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 25328
Lettie
had
once
said
that
she
found
it
strange
and
incongruous
to
hear
me
describe
criminals,
killers,
and
mafiosi
as
men
of
honour.
Sen 26924
And
the
clothes—I
knew
them
well
from
the
shopping
expeditions
that
Sanjay
Andrew,
Faisal,
and
the
other
mafiosi
made
to
the
most
expensive
stores
in
the
city.
234
emblazoned
prev
next
Definition (emblazon)
Definition (emblazon)
1. To depict or represent; -- said of heraldic bearings. See Blazon. 2. To deck in glaring colors; to set off conspicuously; to display pompously; to decorate. The walls were . . . emblazoned with legends in commemoration of the illustrious pair. Prescott.
"commemoration": 1. The act of commemorating; an observance or celebration designed to honor the memory of some person or event. This sacrament was designed to be a standing commemoration of the death and passion of our Lord. Abp. Tillotson. The commonwealth which . . . chooses the most flagrant act of murderous regicide treason for a feast of eternal commemoration. Burke. 2. Whatever serves the purpose of commemorating; a memorial. Commemoration day, at the University of Oxford, Eng., an annual observance or ceremony in honor of the benefactors of the University, at which time honorary degrees are conferred.
"blazon": 1. A shield. [Obs.] 2. An heraldic shield; a coat of arms, or a bearing on a coat of arms; armorial bearings. Their blazon o'er his towers displayed. Sir W. Scott. 3. The art or act of describing or depicting heraldic bearings in the proper language or manner. Peacham. 4. Ostentatious display, either by words or other means; publication; show; description; record. Obtrude the blazon of their exploits upon the company. Collier. Thy tongue, thy face, thy limbs, actions, and spirit, Do give thee fivefold blazon. Shak.
1. To depict in colors; to display; to exhibit conspicuously; to publish or make public far and wide. Thyself thou blazon'st. Shak. There pride sits blazoned on th' unmeaning brow. Trumbull. To blazon his own worthless name. Cowper. 2. To deck; to embellish; to adorn. She blazons in dread smiles her hideous form. Garth. 3. (Her.) To describe in proper terms (the figures of heraldic devices); also, to delineate (armorial bearings); to emblazon. The coat of , arms, which I am not herald enough to blazon into English. Addison.
To shine; to be conspicuous. [R.]
"heraldic": Of or pertaining to heralds or heraldry; as, heraldic blazoning; heraldic language. T. Warton.
Difficulty: 17.25
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 1181
He
shouted
to
one
of
the
red-jacketed
waiters,
calling
the
man
by
the
number
‘4’
emblazoned
on
the
breast
pocket
on
his
uniform.
Sen 21442
Each
time,
Khader
raised
his
green-and-white
mujaheddin
flag
emblazoned
with
the
Koranic
phrase:
235
lazily
prev
next
Definition
Definition
In a lazy manner. Locke.
Difficulty: 17.25
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 1197
‘You
would
say
that
I
think
money
is
the
best
thing
in
the
world,’
he
suggested
lazily,
‘and
we’d
both
be
right.
Sen 16684
He
caught
the
eye
of
a
waiter,
and
waved
a
hand
lazily
for
another
drink.
236
ladoo
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.24
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 8777
He
left
the
room,
returned
momentarily
to
place
two
bowls
of
ladoo
and
barfi
sweets
on
the
table,
and
then
left
us
once
more.
Sen 14619
Another
grasped
a
plate
bearing
several
sweet
ladoo.
237
gunrunner
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.22
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 13
I
worked
as
a
gunrunner,
a
smuggler,
and
a
counterfeiter.
Sen 24034
The
temptation
to
talk
about
the
American
gunrunner
who
was
wounded
in
battle,
fighting
with
the
mujaheddin,
was
irresistible.
238
acrid
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Sharp and harsh, or bitter and not, to the taste; pungent; as, acrid salts. 2. Causing heat and irritation; corrosive; as, acrid secretions. 3. Caustic; bitter; bitterly irritating; as, acrid temper, mind, writing. Acrid poison, a poison which irritates, corrodes, or burns the parts to which it is applied.
"caustic": 1. Capable of destroying the texture of anything or eating away its substance by chemical action; burning; corrosive; searing. 2. Severe; satirical; sharp; as, a caustic remark. Caustic curve (Optics), a curve to which the ray of light, reflected or refracted by another curve, are tangents, the reflecting or refracting curve and the luminous point being in one plane. -- Caustic lime. See under Lime. -- Caustic potash, Caustic soda (Chem.), the solid hydroxides potash, KOH, and soda, NaOH, or solutions of the same. -- Caustic silver, nitrate of silver, lunar caustic. -- Caustic surface (Optics), a surface to which rays reflected or refracted by another surface are tangents. Caustic curves and surfaces are called catacaustic when formed by reflection, and diacaustic when formed by refraction. Syn. -- Stinging; cutting; pungent; searching.
1. Any substance or means which, applied to animal or other organic tissue, burns, corrodes, or destroys it by chemical action; an escharotic. 2. (Optics) A caustic curve or caustic surface.
Difficulty: 17.18
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 4838
The
smell
of
burning
plastic,
fuel,
clothes,
hair,
and
flesh
was
acrid
and
unnerving.
Sen 12397
The
smoke
given
off
was
acrid
and
thick
with
a
greasy
soot
that
settled
on
everything
it
touched.
239
equidistant
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Being at an equal distance from the same point or thing. -- E`qui*dis"tant*ly, adv. Sir T. Browne.
Difficulty: 17.18
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 7615
It
was
a
vast,
cavernous
space,
divided
by
equidistant
columns
and
canopied
by
a
flat,
concrete
ceiling
adorned
with
a
creepery
of
cables.
Sen 21436
Habib
laid
out
a
route
that
was
roughly
equidistant
between
towns
and
larger
villages,
always
avoiding
the
main
arteries
that
local
people
used.
240
sinuous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Bending in and out; of a serpentine or undulating form; winding; crooked. -- Sin"u*ous*ly, adv. Streaking the ground with sinuous trace. Milton. Gardens bright with sinuous rills. Coleridge.
"undulating": Rising and falling like waves; resembling wave form or motion; undulatory; rolling; wavy; as, an undulating medium; undulating ground. -- Un"du*la`ting*ly. adv.
Difficulty: 17.16
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 2269
The
main
road
became
streets
and
the
streets
became
lanes
and,
when
those
proved
too
narrow
for
the
taxi
to
negotiate,
we
left
the
vehicle
and
walked
together
in
the
sinuous
busyness
of
the
crowds.
Sen 16320
And
I
danced
on
that
steel
serpent
as
it
slithered
sinuous
beside
the
scroll
and
swell
of
the
endless,
imperishable
sea.
241
incipient
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Beginning to be, or to show itself; commencing; initial; as, the incipient stage of a fever; incipient light of day. -- In*cip"i*ent*ly, adv.
Difficulty: 17.16
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 6357
Ranjit’s
own
eyes
were
honey-coloured,
and
clouded
by
what
I
judged
to
be
incipient
cataracts.
Sen 26972
His
success
with
The
Post,
as
it
was
known,
had
allowed
Ranjit
to
segue
into
the
incipient
field
of
independent
television
production.
242
hungrily
prev
next
Definition
Definition
In a hungry manner; voraciously. Dryden.
Difficulty: 17.15
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 275
Prabaker
shouted
at
his
unruly
colleagues,
and
they
retreated
a
few
paces,
staring
hungrily
at
our
collection
of
bags
and
packs.
Sen 4224
‘You
know,
Lin,’
Prabaker
mumbled,
gaping
hungrily
and
almost
fearfully
at
the
drips
of
oil.
243
sheaf
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A sheave. [R.]
1. A quantity of the stalks and ears of wheat, rye, or other grain, bound together; a bundle of grain or straw. The reaper fills his greedy hands, And binds the golden sheaves in brittle bands. Dryden. 2. Any collection of things bound together; a bundle; specifically, a bundle of arrows sufficient to fill a quiver, or the allowance of each archer, -- usually twenty-four. The sheaf of arrows shook and rattled in the case. Dryden.
To gather and bind into a sheaf; to make into sheaves; as, to sheaf wheat.
To collect and bind cut grain, or the like; to make sheaves. They that reap must sheaf and bind. Shak.
"sheave": A wheel having a groove in the rim for a rope to work in, and set in a block, mast, or the like; the wheel of a pulley. Sheave hole, a channel cut in a mast, yard, rail, or other timber, in which to fix a sheave.
To gather and bind into a sheaf or sheaves; hence, to collect. Ashmole.
Difficulty: 17.15
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 858
He
took
a
sheaf
of
rupee
notes
from
his
shirt
pocket,
peeled
off
a
number,
and
passed
them
across
with
his
palm
turned
downward.
Sen 12930
When
I
managed,
that
morning,
to
scrounge
a
stub
of
pencil
and
a
small
sheaf
of
discarded
sugar-ration
wrappers,
I
felt
ready
at
last
to
write
down
the
lines
of
the
first
page.
244
characterises
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.15
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 11224
What
characterises
the
human
race
more,
Karla
once
asked
me,
cruelty,
or
the
capacity
to
feel
shame
for
it?
Sen 11225
I
thought
the
question
acutely
clever
then,
when
I
first
heard
it,
but
I’m
lonelier
and
wiser
now,
and
I
know
it
isn’t
cruelty
or
shame
that
characterises
the
human
race.
245
transfigured
prev
next
Definition (transfigure)
Definition (transfigure)
1. To change the outward form or appearance of; to metamorphose; to transform. 2. Especially, to change to something exalted and glorious; to give an ideal form to. [Jesus] was transfigured before them; and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. Matt. xvii. 2.
"raiment": 1. Clothing in general; vesture; garments; -- usually singular in form, with a collective sense. Living, both food and raiment she supplies. Dryden. 2. An article of dress. [R. or Obs.] Sir P. Sidney.
"metamorphose": To change into a different form; to transform; to transmute. And earth was metamorphosed into man. Dryden.
Same as Metamorphosis.
Difficulty: 17.13
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 21584
And
that
face—I’d
said,
once,
that
I’d
never
seen
another
human
face
in
which
the
smile
was
so
utterly
defeated—that
scowl-creased
face
was
transfigured
in
the
dance
until
his
honest,
selfless
beauty
was
so
radiant
that
it
filled
my
eyes
with
tears.
Sen 27336
Kano
was
not
simply
disguised—he
was
transfigured
into
the
form
of
the
elephant-headed
god.
246
scrubby
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Of the nature of scrub; small and mean; stunted in growth; as, a scrubby cur. "Dense, scrubby woods." Duke of Argull.
Difficulty: 17.12
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 21083
Before
we
reached
the
town,
however,
we
took
a
side
road
that
seemed
to
end
in
a
deserted
track,
with
a
stand
of
trees
and
several
scrubby
pastures,
about
thirty
kilometres
north
of
the
main
highway
and
the
Chaman
Pass.
Sen 21468
There
were
short,
scrubby
bushes
with
tiny
yellow
leaves
that
the
goats
enjoyed,
and
many
varieties
of
wild
grasses
topped
with
feathery
bowers
of
dried
seed
for
the
horses.
247
lassi
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.09
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 2962
A
passing
waiter
took
our
last
order,
and
moments
later
brought
a
banana
lassi
for
Karla
and
a
chai
for
me.
Sen 5633
Khaderbhai
and
I
had
ordered
only
mango-flavoured
lassi.
248
endeared
prev
next
Definition (endear)
Definition (endear)
1. To make dear or beloved. "To be endeared to a king." Shak. 2. To raise the price or cost of; to make costly or expensive. [R.] King James I. (1618).
Difficulty: 17.05
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 1042
The
fact
that
I
trusted
him
on
sight
and
didn’t
haggle,
on
that
first
day,
that
I
didn’t
try
to
make
a
buck
out
of
him,
that
I
worked
on
an
instinct
that
respected
him
and
was
prepared
to
like
him,
endeared
me
to
him.
Sen 20561
It
was
a
disarming
expression,
and
it
endeared
him
to
me
at
once.
249
tribesman
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.05
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 4617
A
man
dressed
in
the
red
turban,
vest,
and
silk
trousers
of
a
northern
tribesman
stood
there,
near
the
iron
gate,
shrieking
at
the
very
top
of
a
strong
voice.
Sen 4636
At
the
last
possible
moment,
a
man
stepped
out
from
the
wall
at
the
side,
tripped
the
goose-stepping
tribesman,
and
sent
him
crashing
to
the
stone
floor.
250
fatalistic
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Implying, or partaking of the nature of, fatalism.
"fatalism": The doctrine that all things are subject to fate, or that they take place by inevitable necessity.
Difficulty: 17.05
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 13924
But
even
then,
as
I
formed
the
clear
thought
to
flee
the
city,
I
felt
myself
relaxing
into
a
dense,
fatalistic
calm.
Sen 24902
And
behind
that
almost
spiritual
awe
there
was
a
dull,
throbbing,
fatalistic
dread.
251
ingenuous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Of honorable extraction; freeborn; noble; as, ingenuous blood of birth. 2. Noble; generous; magnanimous; honorable; uprigth; high-minded; as, an ingenuous ardor or zeal. If an ingenuous detestation of falsehood be but carefully and early instilled, that is the true and genuin method to obviate dishonesty. Locke. 3. Free from reserve, disguise, equivocation, or dissimulation; open; frank; sa, an ingenuous man; an ingenuous declaration, confession, etc. Sensible in myself . . . what a burden it is for me, who would be ingenuous, to be loaded with courtesies which he hath not the least hope to requite or deserve. Fuller. 4. Ingenious. [Obs.] Shak. Note: (Formerly) printers did not discriminate between . . . ingenuous and ingenious, and these words were used or rather printed interchangeably almost to the begining of the eighteenth century. G. P. Marsh. Syn. -- Open; frank; unreserved; artless; plain; sincere; candid; fair; noble; generous. -- Ingenuous, Open, Frank. One who is open speaks out at once what is uppermost in his mind; one who is frank does it from a natural boldness, or dislike of self-restraint; one who is ingenuous is actuated by a native simplicity and artlessness, which make him willing to confess faults, and make known his sentiments without reserve. See Candid.
"unreserved": Not reserved; not kept back; not withheld in part; unrestrained. -- Un`re*serv"ed*ly, adv. -- Un`re*serv"ed*ness, n.
"artless": 1. Wanting art, knowledge, or skill; ignorant; unskillful. Artless of stars and of the moving sand. Dryden. 2. Contrived without skill or art; inartistic. [R.] Artless and massy pillars. T. Warton. 3. Free from guile, art, craft, or stratagem; characterized by simplicity and sincerity; sincere; guileless; ingenuous; honest; as, an artless mind; an artless tale. They were plain, artless men, without the least appearance of enthusiasm or credulity about them. Porteus. O, how unlike the complex works of man, Heaven's easy, artless, unencumbered plan! Cowper. Syn. -- Simple; unaffected; sincere; undesigning; guileless; unsophisticated; open; frank; candid.
"ardor": 1. Heat, in a literal sense; as, the ardor of the sun's rays. 2. Warmth or heat of passion or affection; eagerness; zeal; as, he pursues study with ardor; the fought with ardor; martial ardor. 3. pl. Bright and effulgent spirits; seraphim. [Thus used by Milton.] Syn. -- Fervor; warmth; eagerness. See Fervor.
"obviate": 1. To meet in the way. [Obs.] Not to stir a step to obviate any of a different religion. Fuller. 2. To anticipate; to prevent by interception; to remove from the way or path; to make unnecessary; as, to obviate the necessity of going. To lay down everything in its full light, so as to obviate all exceptions. Woodward.
"artlessness": The quality of being artless, or void of art or guile; simplicity; sincerity.
"equivocation": The use of expressions susceptible of a double signification, with a purpose to mislead. There being no room for equivocations, there is no need of distinctions. Locke. Syn. -- Prevarication; ambiguity; shuffling; evasion; guibbling. See Equivocal, a., and Prevaricate, v. i.
"dissimulation": The act of dissembling; a hiding under a false appearance; concealment by feigning; false pretension; hypocrisy. Let love be without dissimulation. Rom. xii. 9. Dissimulation . . . when a man lets fall signs and arguments that he is not that he is. Bacon. Simulation is a pretense of what is not, and dissimulation a concealment of what is. Tatler.
"freeborn": Born free; not born in vasssalage; inheriting freedom.
"detestation": The act of detesting; extreme hatred or dislike; abhorrence; loathing. We are heartily agreed in our detestation of civil war. Burke.
"requite": To repay; in a good sense, to recompense; to return (an equivalent) in good; to reward; in a bad sense, to retaliate; to return (evil) for evil; to punish. He can requite thee; for he knows the charma That call fame on such gentle acts as these. Milton. Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand. Ps. x. 14. Syn. -- To repay; reward; pay; compensate; remunerate; satisfy; recompense; punish; revenge.
"uppermost": Highest in place, position, rank, power, or the like; upmost; supreme. Whatever faction happens to be uppermost. Swift.
Difficulty: 17.05
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 20741
He
laughed
as
he
asked
the
question,
and
his
tone
was
as
honest
and
ingenuous
as
it
ever
was,
but
still
the
words
stabbed
into
my
mind.
Sen 26909
‘That’s
funny,’
I
answered,
not
sure
if
he
was
as
ingenuous
as
he
seemed
to
be.
252
piquant
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Stimulating to the taste; giving zest; tart; sharp; pungent; as, a piquant anecdote. "As piquant to the tongue as salt." Addison. "Piquant railleries." Gov. of Tongue.
Difficulty: 17.04
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 919
The
taste
was
sharp
and
luscious—honeyed
and
subtly
piquant
at
the
same
time.
Sen 21569
Those
dishes
included
flavoured
yoghurts,
piquant
goat’s
or
sheep’s
milk
cheeses,
oven-baked
cakes
made
with
corn
flour,
dates,
nuts,
and
wild
honey,
biscuits
baked
with
richly
churned
goat’s
milk
butter
and,
of
course,
a
variety
of
halal
meats
and
vegetable
pulao.
253
culottes
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.02
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 2642
Lettie
wore
a
fine,
bone-coloured
brocade
jacket
over
loose,
dark-brown
satin
culottes,
and
boots.
Sen 17003
She
wore
a
starched,
sky-blue
shirt
with
the
collar
turned
up,
and
sky-blue
culottes.
254
pantaloons
prev
next
Definition (pantaloon)
Definition (pantaloon)
1. Aridiculous character, or an old dotard, in the Italian comedy; also, a buffoon in pantomimes. Addison. The sixth age shifts Into the lean and slippered pantaloon. Shak. 2. pl. A bifurcated garment for a man, covering the body from the waist downwards, and consisting of breeches and stockings in one. 3. pl. In recent times, same as Trousers.
"slippered": Wearing slippers. Shak.
"dotard": One whose mind is impaired by age; one in second childhood. The sickly dotard wants a wife. Prior.
"bifurcated": Two-pronged; forked.
Difficulty: 17.02
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 8759
He
was
dressed
in
the
green
pantaloons
and
long
tunic
of
Afghan
traditional
dress.
Sen 19952
Khader
was
dressed
in
the
loose
pantaloons,
shirt,
and
tunic-vest
of
the
Pathans.
255
tousled
prev
next
Definition (tousle)
Definition (tousle)
To put into disorder; to tumble; to touse. [Colloq.]
"touse": To pull; to haul; to tear; to worry. [Prov. Eng.] Shak. As a bear, whom angry curs have touzed. Spenser.
A pulling; a disturbance. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
Difficulty: 17.02
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 15773
There
was
nothing
but
the
waves
breaking
like
the
curved
spines
of
playful
porpoises,
and
the
traceless,
empty,
tousled
sheets
of
sand.
Sen 24203
Her
thick,
dark
brown
hair
was
tousled
and
awry.
256
ampoules
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.01
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 6370
He
knelt
to
roll
out
the
canvas,
and
revealed
a
collection
of
ampoules
and
plastic
bottles.
Sen 23107
I
scraped
through
the
wreckage
to
retrieve
some
antibiotics,
disinfectants,
ointments,
bandages,
suture
needles,
thread,
syringes,
and
morphine
ampoules.
257
thirtieth
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Next in order after the twenty-ninth; the tenth after the twentieth; -- the ordinal of thirty; as, the thirtieth day of the month. 2. Constituting or being one of thirty equal parts into which anything is divided.
The quotient of a unit divided by thirty; one of thirty equal parts.
"ordinal": 1. Indicating order or succession; as, the ordinal numbers, first, second, third, etc. 2. Of or pertaining to an order.
1. A word or number denoting order or succession. 2. (Ch. of Eng.) The book of forms for making, ordaining, and consecrating bishops, priests, and deacons. 3. (R. C. Ch.) A book containing the rubrics of the Mass. [Written also ordinale.]
"quotient": 1. (Arith.) The number resulting from the division of one number by another, and showing how often a less number is contained in a greater; thus, the quotient of twelve divided by four is three. 2. (Higher Alg.) The result of any process inverse to multiplication. See the Note under Multiplication.
Difficulty: 17.01
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 8038
The
new
part
of
the
city
was
celebrating
its
thirtieth
year,
then,
and
Old
Delhi
its
three
hundredth.
Sen 25821
But
it
was
Abdullah
Taheri,
his
ghost,
as
handsome
as
Omar
Sharif
on
his
thirtieth
birthday,
as
lethal
as
a
big
cat
prowling,
a
black
panther,
and
with
those
eyes
the
colour
of
sand
in
the
palm
of
your
hand
a
half-hour
before
sunset.
258
lamplights
prev
next
Definition (lamplight)
Definition (lamplight)
Light from a lamp. This world's artificial lamplights. Owen Meredith.
Difficulty: 17.01
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 6908
Lamplights
fluttered
in
the
breeze,
passing
the
golden
gleam
from
eye
to
eye,
as
shadows
chased
one
another
across
the
reed-mat
walls
of
the
huts.
Sen 20836
I
smiled
into
the
golden
eyes
filled
with
tiny,
swaying
lamplights,
and
secrets,
and
sacred
pleasures
summoned
by
the
singing.
259
penury
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Absence of resources; want; privation; indigence; extreme poverty; destitution. "A penury of military forces." Bacon. They were exposed to hardship and penury. Sprat. It arises in neither from penury of thought. Landor. 2. Penuriousness; miserliness. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.
"privation": 1. The act of depriving, or taking away; hence, the depriving of rank or office; degradation in rank; deprivation. Bacon. 2. The state of being deprived or destitute of something, especially of something required or desired; destitution; need; as, to undergo severe privations. 3. The condition of being absent; absence; negation. Evil will be known by consequence, as being only a privation, or absence, of good. South. Privation mere of light and absent day. Milton.
"destitution": The state of being deprived of anything; the state or condition of being destitute, needy, or without resources; deficiency; lack; extreme poverty; utter want; as, the inundation caused general destitution.
"sprat": (a) A small European herring (Clupea sprattus) closely allied to the common herring and the pilchard; -- called also garvie. The name is also applied to small herring of different kinds. (b) A California surf-fish (Rhacochilus toxotes); -- called also alfione, and perch. Sprat borer (Zoöl.), the red-throated diver; -- so called from its fondness for sprats. See Diver. -- Sprat loon. (Zoöl.) (a) The young of the great northern diver. [Prov. Eng.] (b) The red-throated diver. See Diver. -- Sprat mew (Zoöl.), the kittiwake gull.
"indigence": The condition of being indigent; want of estate, or means of comfortable subsistence; penury; poverty; as, helpless, indigence. Cowper. Syn. -- Poverty; penury; destitution; want; need; privation; lack. See Poverty.
Difficulty: 16.99
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 2297
The
buildings
were
cracked
and
smeared,
the
constricted
passage-ways
were
crowded
with
goats,
chickens,
dogs,
and
people,
and
each
thin
face
showed
the
shade
and
hollows
of
penury,
but
the
streets
and
the
people
were
stainlessly,
scrupulously
clean.
Sen 18093
The
remnants
of
his
family
cast
him
out,
no
less
for
his
penury
than
for
the
many
scandals
that
had
pursued
his
profligate
progress
through
the
Middle
East
and
Asia.
260
fibreglass
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.99
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 27308
The
elderly
sculptor
raised
his
grizzled
brows
when
we
entered
his
hut,
but
affected
to
ignore
us
and
continued
with
the
work
of
sanding
and
polishing
a
newly
moulded
section
of
a
fibreglass
religious
frieze
almost
two
metres
in
length.
Sen 27310
Wood
and
fibreglass
shavings
covered
the
table
and
lay
in
chips
and
whorls,
along
with
rinds
of
papier-måché,
at
his
bare
feet.
261
convulsion
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. (Med.) An unnatural, violent, and unvoluntary contraction of the muscular parts of an animal body. 2. Any violent and irregular motion or agitation; a violent shaking; a tumult; a commotion. Those two massy pillars, With horrible convulsion, to and fro He tugged, he shook, till down they came. Milton. Times of violence and convulsion. Ames. Syn. -- Agitation; commotion; tumult; disturbance.
"unvoluntary": Involuntary. [Obs.] Fuller.
"massy": Compacted into, or consisting of, a mass; having bulk and weight ot substance; ponderous; bulky and heavy; weight; heavy; as, a massy shield; a massy rock. Your swords are now too massy for your strengths, And will not be uplifted. Shak. Yawning rocks in massy fragments fly. Pope.
"tumult": 1. The commotion or agitation of a multitude, usually accompanied with great noise, uproar, and confusion of voices; hurly-burly; noisy confusion. What meaneth the noise of this tumult 1 Sam. iv. 14. Till in loud tumult all the Greeks arose. Pope. 2. Violent commotion or agitation, with confusion of sounds; as, the tumult of the elements. Addison. 3. Irregular or confused motion; agitation; high excitement; as, the tumult of the spirits or passions. Syn. -- Uproar; ferment; disturbance; turbulence; disorder; confusion; noise; bluster; hubbub; bustle; stir; brawl; riot.
To make a tumult; to be in great commotion. [Obs.] Importuning and tumulting even to the fear of a revolt. Milton.
Difficulty: 16.96
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 2267
And
with
the
seed
of
that
resolve,
born
in
that
convulsion
and
portent,
Prabaker’s
dark
circuit
of
the
city
began.
Sen 11385
She
clutched
at
her
belly
and
curled
up
in
a
ball,
only
to
fling
her
arms
and
legs
outward
in
a
back-arching
convulsion.
262
clambering
prev
next
Definition (clamber)
Definition (clamber)
To climb with difficulty, or with hands and feet; -- also used figuratively. The narrow street that clambered toward the mill. Tennyson.
The act of clambering. T. Moore.
To ascend by climbing with difficulty. Clambering the walls to eye him. Shak.
Difficulty: 16.93
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 10468
The
boy
did
so
at
once,
clambering
up
piggyback
style,
and
wrapping
his
thin
arms
around
my
neck
tightly.
Sen 11330
Lin!’
my
neighbour
Jeetendra
called
out
in
a
frightened
shriek,
and
we
turned
to
see
him
clambering
over
the
rocks
toward
us.
263
cruellest
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.93
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 12593
I
was
walking
into
the
worst
of
the
city,
one
of
her
cruellest
and
most
iniquitous
defiles,
but
some
instinct
flooded
my
mind
with
a
loveliness
I’d
found
in
her—that
path,
across
the
sea,
to
the
white
minarets
of
the
saint’s
tomb.
Sen 13229
I
was
dying
of
hunger,
and
I
was
learning
that
it’s
one
of
the
cruellest
ways
to
kill
a
man.
264
pallid
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Deficient in color; pale; wan; as, a pallid countenance; pallid blue. Spenser.
Difficulty: 16.91
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 1505
When
he
wasn’t
smiling
his
face
looked
flabby,
slack,
and
pallid
grey.
Sen 18245
His
skin
was
pallid,
matt,
and
in
some
places
marbled-grey.
265
recalcitrant
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Kicking back; recalcitrating; hence, showing repugnance or opposition; refractory.
"refractory": 1. Obstinate in disobedience; contumacious; stubborn; unmanageable; as, a refractory child; a refractory beast. Raging appetites that are Most disobedient and refractory. Shak. 2. Resisting ordinary treatment; difficult of fusion, reduction, or the like; -- said especially of metals and the like, which do not readily yield to heat, or to the hammer; as, a refractory ore. Syn. -- Perverse; contumacious; unruly; stubborn; obstinate; unyielding; ungovernable; unmanageable.
1. A refractory person. Bp. Hall. 2. Refractoriness. [Obs.] Jer. TAylor. 3. OPottery) A piece of ware covered with a vaporable flux and placed in a kiln, to communicate a glaze to the other articles. Knight.
"repugnance": The state or condition of being repugnant; opposition; contrariety; especially, a strong instinctive antagonism; aversion; reluctance; unwillingness, as of mind, passions, principles, qualities, and the like. That which causes us to lose most of our time is the repugnance which we naturally have to labor. Dryden. Let the foes quietly cut their throats, Without repugnancy. Shak. Syn. -- Aversion; reluctance; unwillingness; dislike; antipathy; hatred; hostility; irreconcilableness; contrariety; inconsistency. See Dislike.
Difficulty: 16.91
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 13899
Using
the
temple
complex
as
a
base,
the
militants
had
launched
punitive
attacks
against
Hindus,
and
those
they
described
as
recalcitrant
Sikhs,
for
many
weeks.
Sen 26088
Indeed,
Salman’s
mafia
clan
found
itself
in
the
unique
position
of
bribing
the
police—the
same
cops
who’d
just
been
paid
off
by
pimps
and
pushers—to
look
away
whenever
they
had
to
run
a
recalcitrant
heroin
dealer
into
a
brick
wall,
or
take
a
mash
hammer
to
a
pornographer’s
hands.
266
pillion
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A panel or cushion saddle; the under pad or cushion of saddle; esp., a pad or cushion put on behind a man's saddle, on which a woman may ride. His [a soldier's] shank pillion without stirrups. Spenser.
Difficulty: 16.89
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 6128
Abdullah
kicked
the
engine
over,
and
I
climbed
up
onto
the
pillion
seat
behind
him.
Sen 24394
DIDIER
LEVY
was
the
worst
pillion
passenger
I’ve
ever
known.
267
akela
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.89
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 24139
‘Hum
akela
hain,’
I
replied,
returning
his
smile.
Sen 24142
‘Akela
…’
he
repeated.
268
barfi
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.87
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 8777
He
left
the
room,
returned
momentarily
to
place
two
bowls
of
ladoo
and
barfi
sweets
on
the
table,
and
then
left
us
once
more.
Sen 8995
He
snatched
a
chunk
of
sweet
barfi
from
the
plate
on
the
table,
bit
a
piece
of
it,
and
munched
happily.
269
staccato
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. (Mus.) Disconnected; separated; distinct; -- a direction to perform the notes of a passage in a short, distinct, and pointed manner. It is opposed to legato, and often indicated by heavy accents written over or under the notes, or by dots when the performance is to be less distinct and emphatic. 2. Expressed in a brief, pointed manner. Staccato and peremptory [literary criticism]. G. Eliot.
"emphatic": 1. Uttered with emphasis; made prominent and impressive by a peculiar stress of voice; laying stress; deserving of stress or emphasis; forcible; impressive; strong; as, to remonstrate in am emphatic manner; an emphatic word; an emphatic tone; emphatic reasoning. 2. Striking the sense; attracting special attention; impressive; forcible. "Emphatical colors." Boyle. "Emphatical evils." Bp. Reynolds. Syn. -- Forcible; earnest; impressive; energetic; striking; positive; important; special; significant.
"legato": Connected; tied; -- a term used when successive tones are to be produced in a closely connected, smoothly gliding manner. It is often indicated by a tie, thus staccato.
"peremptory": 1. Precluding debate or expostulation; not admitting of question or appeal; positive; absolute; decisive; conclusive; final. Think of heaven with hearty purposes and peremptory designs to get thither. Jer. Taylor. 2. Positive in opinion or judgment; decided; dictatorial; dogmatical. Be not too positive and peremptory. Bacon. Briefly, then, for we are peremptory. Shak. 3. Firmly determined; unawed. [Poetic] Shak. Peremptory challenge (Law) See under Challenge. -- Peremptory mandamus, a final and absolute mandamus. -- Peremptory plea, a plea by a defendant tending to impeach the plaintiff's right of action; a plea in bar. Syn. -- Decisive; positive; absolute; authoritative; express; arbitrary; dogmatical.
Difficulty: 16.86
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 17790
The
signal
changed
and
I
kicked
the
bike
into
gear,
twisting
the
throttle
to
send
us
into
the
intersection
on
the
staccato
throbbing
of
the
engine’s
growl.
Sen 21315
As
the
sound
rose
in
its
pitch
and
intensity,
the
two
horses
reared
in
the
same
instinct,
and
stamped
their
hooves
in
staccato
fear.
270
febrile
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Pertaining to fever; indicating fever, or derived from it; as, febrile symptoms; febrile action. Dunglison.
Difficulty: 16.85
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 19076
Encouraged
by
that
febrile
curiosity,
Cliff
De
Souza
spun
out
yarns
about
the
Bollywood
stars,
and
Chandra
Mehta
added
titillating
ruffles
of
gossip
throughout.
Sen 21403
‘I’m
worried,’
Khaled
confessed,
looking
into
my
eyes
with
a
febrile
mix
of
heartbreak
and
fear.
271
comprehensible
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Capable of being comprehended, included, or comprised. Lest this part of knowledge should seem to any not comprehensible by axiom, we will set down some heads of it. Bacon. 2. Capable of being understood; intelligible; conceivable by the mind. The horizon sets the bounds . . . between what is and what is not comprehensible by us. Locke.
"axiom": 1. (Logic & Math.) A self-evident and necessary truth, or a proposition whose truth is so evident as first sight that no reasoning or demonstration can make it plainer; a proposition which it is necessary to take for granted; as, "The whole is greater than a part;" "A thing can not, at the same time, be and not be." 2. An established principle in some art or science, which, though not a necessary truth, is universally received; as, the axioms of political economy. Syn. -- Axiom, Maxim, Aphorism, Adage. An axiom is a self-evident truth which is taken for granted as the basis of reasoning. A maxim is a guiding principle sanctioned by experience, and relating especially to the practical concerns of life. An aphorism is a short sentence pithily expressing some valuable and general truth or sentiment. An adage is a saying of long-established authority and of universal application.
"intelligible": Capable of being understood or comprehended; as, an intelligible account or description; intelligible pronunciation, writing, etc. The intelligible forms of ancient poets. Coleridge. Syn. -- Comprehensible; perspicuous; plain; clear.
Difficulty: 16.83
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 134
What
had
seemed
unimaginably
strange
and
remote
from
my
experience
suddenly
became
possible,
and
comprehensible,
and,
finally,
fascinating.
Sen 3267
When
I
understood
that,
a
great
many
of
the
characteristically
perplexing
aspects
of
public
life
became
comprehensible:
from
the
acceptance
of
sprawling
slums
by
city
authorities,
to
the
freedom
that
cows
had
to
roam
at
random
in
the
midst
of
traffic;
from
the
toleration
of
beggars
on
the
streets,
to
the
concatenate
complexity
of
the
bureaucracies;
and
from
the
gorgeous,
unashamed
escapism
of
Bollywood
movies,
to
the
accommodation
of
hundreds
of
thousands
of
refugees
from
Tibet,
Iran,
Afghanistan,
Africa,
and
Bangladesh,
in
a
country
that
was
already
too
crowded
with
sorrows
and
needs
of
its
own.
272
tabletop
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.83
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 1574
He
paused,
drumming
the
fingers
of
his
right
hand
on
the
cold
marble
tabletop.
Sen 25324
Where
the
footpath
was
clogged
with
shoppers
halting
at
the
tabletop
street
stalls,
we
walked
on
the
road
with
a
slow,
unceasing
stream
of
traffic
behind
and
beside
us.
273
uppermost
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Highest in place, position, rank, power, or the like; upmost; supreme. Whatever faction happens to be uppermost. Swift.
"upmost": Highest; topmost; uppermost. Spenser. Dryden.
Difficulty: 16.80
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 7566
The
uppermost
floors
hadn’t
been
concreted,
but
the
framework
of
upright,
transom,
and
truss
girders
was
already
in
place
and
even
there,
thirty-five
storeys
into
the
sky,
women
worked
beside
the
men.
Sen 15787
On
the
opposite
long
wall
of
the
room,
four
tall
windows
looked
upon
the
uppermost
branches
and
cool,
shading
leaves
of
plane
trees
lining
the
street
below.
274
malevolence
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The quality or state of being malevolent; evil disposition toward another; inclination to injure others; ill will. See Synonym of Malice.
"synonym": One of two or more words (commonly words of the same language) which are equivalents of each other; one of two or more words which have very nearly the same signification, and therefore may often be used interchangeably. See under Synonymous. [Written also synonyme.] All languages tend to clear themselves of synonyms as intellectual culture advances, the superfluous words being taken up and appropriated by new shades and combinations of thought evolved in the progress of society. De Quincey. His name has thus become, throughout all civilized countries, a synonym for probity and philanthropy. Macaulay. In popular literary acceptation, and as employed in special dictionaries of such words, synonyms are words sufficiently alike in general signification to be liable to be confounded, but yet so different in special definition as to require to be distinguished. G. P. Marsh.
Difficulty: 16.80
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 10162
Lisa
stirred
her
head
from
the
pillows
suddenly,
her
movements
groggy,
and
glared
at
me
with
what
seemed
to
be
real
malevolence.
Sen 11985
His
face
was
a
gargoyle
mask
of
malevolence
and
hatred.
275
ponderous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Very heavy; weighty; as, a ponderous shield; a ponderous load; the ponderous elephant. The sepulcher . . . Hath oped his ponderous and marble jaws. Shak. 2. Important; momentous; forcible. "Your more ponderous and settled project." Shak. 3. Heavy; dull; wanting; lightless or spirit; as, a ponderous style; a ponderous joke. Ponderous spar (Min.), heavy spar, or barytes. See Barite.
"barytes": Barium sulphate, generally called heavy spar or barite. See Barite.
"barite": Native sulphate of barium, a mineral occurring in transparent, colorless, white to yellow crystals (generally tabular), also in granular form, and in compact massive forms resembling marble. It has a high specific gravity, and hence is often called heavy spar. It is a common mineral in metallic veins.
"sepulcher": The place in which the dead body of a human being is interred, or a place set apart for that purpose; a grave; a tomb. The stony entrance of this sepulcher. Shak. The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulcher. John xx. 1. A whited sepulcher. Fig.: Any person who is fair outwardly but unclean or vile within. See Matt. xxiii.27.
To bury; to inter; to entomb; as, obscurely sepulchered. And so sepulchered in such pomp dost lie That kings for such a tomb would wish to die. Milton.
"forcible": 1. Possessing force; characterized by force, efficiency, or energy; powerful; efficacious; impressive; influential. How forcible are right words! Job. vi. 2 Sweet smells are most forcible in dry substances, when broken. Bacon. But I have reasons strong and forcible. Shak. That punishment which hath been sometimes forcible to bridle sin. Hooker. He is at once elegant and sublime, forcible and ornamented. Lowth (Transl. ) 2. Violent; impetuous. Like mingled streams, more forcible when joined. Prior. 3. Using force against opposition or resistance; obtained by compulsion; effected by force; as, forcible entry or abduction. In embraces of King James . . . forcible and unjust. Swift. Forcible entry and detainer (Law), the entering upon and taking and withholding of land and tenements by actual force and violence, and with a strong hand, to the hindrance of the person having the right to enter. Syn. -- Violent; powerful; strong; energetic; mighty; potent; weighty; impressive; cogent; influential.
"lightless": Destitute of light; dark. Shak.
"weighty": 1. Having weight; heavy; ponderous; as, a weighty body. 2. Adapted to turn the balance in the mind, or to convince; important; forcible; serious; momentous. "For sundry weighty reasons." Shak. Let me have your advice in a weighty affair. Swift. 3. Rigorous; severe; afflictive. [R.] "Attend our weightier judgment." Shak. Syn. -- Heavy; ponderous; burdensome; onerous; forcible; momentous; efficacious; impressive; cogent. WEIL'S DISEASE Weil's disease. (Med.) An acute infectious febrile disease, resembling typhoid fever, with muscular pains, disturbance of the digestive organs, jaundice, etc.
Difficulty: 16.79
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 3583
Responding
to
the
violent
blow,
the
ox
gave
a
lurch
forward,
and
then
set
off
with
ponderous,
thudding
slowness.
Sen 6417
When
Abdullah
finished
speaking,
there
was
a
dense
and
ponderous
silence.
276
ponderously
prev
next
Definition
Definition
In a ponderous manner.
Difficulty: 16.79
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 6963
The
bear
turned,
ponderously
slow,
but
then
lashed
out
swiftly
and
swept
a
massive
paw
at
the
dogs.
Sen 19158
We
hurtled
through
the
ponderously
slow
traffic,
riding
on
luck
and
instinct
just
as
Abdullah
might’ve
done.
277
indefatigable
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Incapable of being fatigued; not readily exhausted; unremitting in labor or effort; untiring; unwearying; not yielding to fatigue; as, indefatigable exertions, perseverance, application. "A constant, indefatigable attendance." South. Upborne with indefatigable wings. Milton. Syn. -- Unwearied; untiring; persevering; persistent.
"unremitting": Not remitting; incessant; continued; persevering; as, unremitting exertions. Cowper. -- Un`re*mit"ting*ly, adv. -- Un`re*mit"ting*ness, n.
"unwearied": Not wearied; not fatigued or tired; hence, persistent; not tiring or wearying; indefatigable. -- Un*wea"ried*ly, adv. -- Un*wea"ried*ness, n.
"persevering": Characterized by perseverance; persistent. -- Per`se*ver"ing*ly, adv.
Difficulty: 16.74
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 229
The
impression
was
of
a
plodding,
indefatigable,
and
distant
past
that
had
crashed
intact,
through
barriers
of
time,
into
its
own
future.
Sen 3186
Astonished,
and
not
a
little
ashamed,
I
clung
to
the
porter
as
he
hammered
his
way
into
the
carriage
with
his
indefatigable
and
irresistible
knees.
278
clumsily
prev
next
Definition
Definition
In a clumsy manner; awkwardly; as, to walk clumsily.
Difficulty: 16.74
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 4292
I
tried
to
stand
near
him
and
protect
him
with
my
legs,
but
I
tripped
and
fell
clumsily.
Sen 10166
She
pulled
the
silk
jacket
open
until
she
was
quite
naked,
touching
at
her
breasts
clumsily.
279
contorted
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Twisted, or twisted together. "A contorted chain of icicles." Massinger. 2. (Bot.) (a) Twisted back upon itself, as some parts of plants. (b) Arranged so as to overlap each other; as, petals in contorted or convolute æstivation.
"convolute": Rolled or wound together, one part upon another; -- said of the leaves of plants in æstivation.
Difficulty: 16.70
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 3727
A
desperate
expression
contorted
his
normally
happy
features.
Sen 9556
I
turned
to
ask
him
a
question,
and
found
that
he
was
crying,
his
face
contorted
with
miserable
sobbing.
280
threadbare
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Worn to the naked thread; having the nap worn off; threadbare clothes. "A threadbare cope." Chaucer. 2. Fig.: Worn out; as, a threadbare subject; stale topics and threadbare quotations. Swift.
Difficulty: 16.70
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 4223
A
thick
dribble
of
coconut
oil
gathered
before
her
fingers,
and
dripped
from
the
end
of
the
plait
onto
the
threadbare
carpet.
Sen 7336
As
my
gaze
followed
hers,
I
saw
my
little
house
for
the
shabby,
threadbare
hovel
that
it
really
was.
281
drawl
prev
next
Definition
Definition
To utter in a slow, lengthened tone.
To speak with slow and lingering utterance, from laziness, lack of spirit, affectation, etc. Theologians and moralists . . . talk mostly in a drawling and dreaming way about it. Landor.
A lengthened, slow monotonous utterance.
"affectation": 1. An attempt to assume or exhibit what is not natural or real; false display; artificial show. "An affectation of contempt." Macaulay. Affectation is an awkward and forced imitation of what should be genuine and easy, wanting the beauty that accompanies what is natural what is natural. Locke. 2. A striving after. [Obs.] Bp. Pearson. 3. Fondness; affection. [Obs.] Hooker.
"utterance": 1. The act of uttering. Specifically: -- (a) Sale by offering to the public. [Obs.] Bacon. (b) Putting in circulation; as, the utterance of false coin, or of forged notes. (c) Vocal expression; articulation; speech. At length gave utterance to these words. Milton. 2. Power or style of speaking; as, a good utterance. They . . . began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts ii. 4. O, how unlike To that large utterance of the early gods! Keats.
The last extremity; the end; death; outrance. [Obs.] Annibal forced those captives whom he had taken of our men to skirmish one against another to the utterance. Holland.
"drawling": The act of speaking with a drawl; a drawl. -- Drawl"ing*ly, adv. Bacon.
Difficulty: 16.70
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 7665
‘Nobody
knows
who
he
is,
Lin,’
Kishore
said,
his
American-accented
English,
learned
from
tourists,
flowing
in
a
liquid
drawl.
Sen 27500
‘Chuha
and
his
buddies,’
Amir
answered
in
his
lazy
drawl.
282
overstayer
prev
next
Definition (overstay)
Definition (overstay)
To stay beyond the time or the limits of; as, to overstay the appointed time. Bp. Hall.
Difficulty: 16.69
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 4402
Moreover,
I
was
already
an
overstayer
on
my
visa,
and
technically
guilty
of
a
criminal
offence.
Sen 28237
He’s
an
overstayer.
283
hilarity
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Boisterous mirth; merriment; jollity. Goldsmith. Note: Hilarity differs from joy: the latter, excited by good news or prosperity, is an affection of the mind; the former, produced by social pleasure, drinking, etc., which rouse the animal spirits, is more demonstrative. Syn. -- Glee; cheerfulness; mirth; merriment; gayety; joyousness; exhilaration; joviality; jollity.
"joviality": The quality or state of being jovial. Sir T. Herbert.
"exhilaration": 1. The act of enlivening the spirits; the act of making glad or cheerful; a gladdening. 2. The state of being enlivened or cheerful. Exhilaration hath some affinity with joy, though it be a much lighter motion. Bacon. Syn. -- Animation; joyousness; gladness; cheerfulness; gayety; hilarity; merriment; jollity.
"demonstrative": 1. Having the nature of demonstration; tending to demonstrate; making evident; exhibiting clearly or conclusively. "Demonstrative figures." Dryden. An argument necessary and demonstrative. Hooker. 2. Expressing, or apt to express, much; displaying feeling or sentiment; as, her nature was demonstrative. 3. Consisting of eulogy or of invective. "Demonstrative eloquence." Blair. Demonstrative pronoun (Gram.), a pronoun distinctly designating that to which it refers.
A demonstrative pronoun; as, "this" and "that" are demonstratives.
"gayety": 1. The state of being gay; merriment; mirth; acts or entertainments prompted by, or inspiring, merry delight; -- used often in the plural; as, the gayeties of the season. 2. Finery; show; as, the gayety of dress. Syn. -- Liveliness; mirth; animation; vivacity; glee; blithesomeness; sprightliness; jollity. See Liveliness.
"jollity": Noisy mirth; gayety; merriment; festivity; boisterous enjoyment. Chaucer. All now was turned to jollity and game. Milton. He with a proud jollity commanded him to leave that quarrel only for him, who was only worthy to enter into it. Sir P. Sidney. Syn. -- Merriment; mirth; gayety; festivity; hilarity.
"cheerfulness": Good spirits; a state of moderate joy or gayety; alacrity.
Difficulty: 16.69
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 11047
We
laughed
again,
and
Prabaker
slapped
at
his
thigh,
hooting
with
such
hilarity
that
every
head
turned
toward
him.
Sen 12537
That
might’ve
gone
on
indefinitely,
judging
by
the
hilarity
it
provoked
in
the
gallery
of
surrounding
guards,
but
I
refused
to
play.
284
thumbnails
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.69
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 12818
You
just
squeeze
the
little
fucks
between
your
thumbnails,
like
this.’
Sen 12821
There
were
scores
of
the
lice,
and
he
squashed
each
one
expertly
between
his
thumbnails.
285
goeth
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.68
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 21266
The
saying,
pride
goeth
…
before
a
fall
…
is
condensed
from
the
second
collection
of
the
Book
of
Proverbs,
16:18—Pride
goeth
before
destruction
and
a
haughty
spirit
before
a
fall.
Sen 21266
The
saying,
pride
goeth
…
before
a
fall
…
is
condensed
from
the
second
collection
of
the
Book
of
Proverbs,
16:18—Pride
goeth
before
destruction
and
a
haughty
spirit
before
a
fall.
286
punctuated
prev
next
Definition (punctuate)
Definition (punctuate)
To mark with points; to separate into sentences, clauses, etc., by points or stops which mark the proper pauses in expressing the meaning.
Difficulty: 16.66
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 3607
The
rhythm
of
those
heavy
blows
was
punctuated
by
sharp
jabs
at
the
animal’s
flanks
with
the
nail
attached
to
the
end
of
the
stick.
Sen 15286
In
exchange,
the
Bullet
provided
the
kind
of
soaring,
celestial,
wind-weaving
pleasure
that
birds
must
know,
punctuated
by
not
infrequent
near-death
experiences.
287
reddening
prev
next
Definition (redden)
Definition (redden)
To make red or somewhat red; to give a red color to.
To grow or become red; to blush. Appius reddens at each word you speak. Pope. He no sooner saw that her eye glistened and her cheek reddened than his obstinacy was at once subbued. Sir W. SCott.
Difficulty: 16.64
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 1152
I
felt
myself
reddening
slightly,
not
from
embarrassment,
but
from
shame,
that
she’d
said
so
easily
the
very
words,
I
like
you,
that
I
wouldn’t
let
myself
say
to
her.
Sen 18535
‘He’s
well,’
I
replied,
reddening
a
little
with
shame
that
I
didn’t
see
the
good
and
noble
head
man
as
often
as
I
used
to,
when
I’d
lived
in
the
slum.
288
armrest
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.64
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 3199
His
feet
were
wrapped
around
the
aisle
armrest.
Sen 3200
His
hands
clasped
the
armrest
at
the
window
end.
289
subtractions
prev
next
Definition (subtraction)
Definition (subtraction)
1. The act or operation of subtracting or taking away a part. 2. (Math.) The taking of a lesser number or quantity from a greater of the same kind or denomination; an operation for finding the difference between two numbers or quantities. 3. (Law) The withdrawing or withholding from a person of some right to which he is entitled by law. Note: Thus the subtraction of conjugal rights is when either the husband or wife withdraws from the other and lives separate without sufficient reason. The subtraction of a legacy is the withholding or detailing of it from the legatee by the executor. In like manner, the withholding of any service, rent, duty, or custom, is a subtraction, for which the law gives a remedy. Blackstone.
"legatee": One to whom a legacy is bequeathed.
Difficulty: 16.63
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 7193
With
subtractions
for
the
space
taken
up
by
animal
pens,
shops,
storage
areas,
streets,
lanes,
and
latrines,
that
allowed
some
two
square
metres
for
each
man,
woman,
and
child
among
us.
Sen 15496
While
seemingly
immune
to
decay,
the
saint’s
body
had
suffered
various
amputations
and
subtractions
over
the
centuries.
290
piteously
prev
next
Definition (piteous)
Definition (piteous)
1. Pious; devout. [Obs.] The Lord can deliver piteous men from temptation. Wyclif. 2. Evincing pity, compassion, or sympathy; compassionate; tender. "[She] piteous of his case." Pope. She was so charitable and so pitous. Chaucer. 3. Fitted to excite pity or sympathy; wretched; miserable; lamentable; sad; as, a piteous case. Spenser. The most piteous tale of Lear. Shak. 4. Paltry; mean; pitiful. "Piteous amends." Milton. Syn. -- Sorrowful; mournful; affecting; doleful; woeful; rueful; sad; wretched; miserable; pitiable; pitiful; compassionate. -- Pit"e*ous*ly, adv. -- Pit"e*ous*ness, n.
"rueful": 1. Causing one to rue or lament; woeful; mournful; sorrowful. 2. Expressing sorrow. "Rueful faces." Dryden. Two rueful figures, with long black cloaks. Sir W. Scott. -- Rue"ful*ly, adv. -- Rue"ful*ness, n.
"doleful": Full of dole or grief; expressing or exciting sorrow; sorrowful; sad; dismal. With screwed face and doleful whine. South. Regions of sorrow, doleful shades. Milton. Syn. -- Piteous; rueful; sorrowful; woeful; melancholy; sad gloomy; dismal; dolorous; woe-begone. - Dole"ful*ly, adv. -- Dole"ful*ness, n.
"pitiable": Deserving pity; wworthy of, or exciting, compassion; miserable; lamentable; piteous; as, pitiable persons; a pitiable condition; pitiable wretchedness. Syn. -- Sorrowful; woeful; sad. See Piteous. -- Pit"i*a*ble*ness, n. -- Pit"i*a*bly, adv.
"lamentable": 1. Mourning; sorrowful; expressing grief; as, a lamentable countenance. "Lamentable eye." Spenser. 2. Fitted to awaken lament; to be lamented; sorrowful; pitiable; as, a lamentable misfortune, or error. "Lamentable helplessness." Burke. 3. Miserable; pitiful; paltry; -- in a contemptuous or Bp. Stillingfleet. -- Lam"en*ta*ble*ness, n. -- Lam"en*ta*bly, adv.
Difficulty: 16.61
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 1985
His
piteously
thin
mantis-legs
were
folded
and
tucked
beneath
him
on
the
platform,
which
was
a
piece
of
wood
no
bigger
than
a
folded
newspaper.
Sen 11771
The
procession
of
children
that
ran
with
us
behind
the
biers
carrying
those
little
bodies,
garlanded
with
flowers,
wailed
their
grief
so
piteously
that
many
strangers
on
the
busy
streets
paused
in
prayer,
and
felt
the
sudden
burn
and
sting
of
tears.
291
sinewed
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Furnished with sinews; as, a strong-sinewed youth. 2. Fig.: Equipped; strengthened. When he sees Ourselves well sinewed to our defense. Shak.
Difficulty: 16.61
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 20959
In
the
lengthening
silence
I
looked
at
the
lean,
sinewed
face
and
I
controlled
even
the
sound
of
my
breathing,
lest
it
disturb
him.
Sen 23649
But
it
wasn’t
Habib’s
knife
that
we
stared
at,
jutting
out
of
the
muddy,
sinewed
throat
like
a
branch
from
a
riverbed.
292
undulating
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Rising and falling like waves; resembling wave form or motion; undulatory; rolling; wavy; as, an undulating medium; undulating ground. -- Un"du*la`ting*ly. adv.
"undulatory": Moving in the manner of undulations, or waves; resembling the motion of waves, which successively rise or swell rise or swell and fall; pertaining to a propagated alternating motion, similar to that of waves. Undulatory theory, or Wave theory (of light) (Opt.), that theory which regards its various phenomena as due to undulations in an ethereal medium, propagated from the radiant with immense, but measurable, velocities, and producing different impressions on the retina according to their amplitude and frequency, the sensation of brightness depending on the former, that of color on the latter. The undulations are supposed to take place, not in the direction of propagation, as in the air waves constituting sound, but transversely, and the various phenomena of refraction, polarization, interference, etc., are attributable to the different affections of these undulations in different circumstances of propagation. It is computed that the frequency of the undulations corresponding to the several colors of the spectrum ranges from 458 millions of millions per second for the extreme red ray, to 727 millions of millions for the extreme violet, and their lengths for the same colors, from the thirty-eight thousandth to the sixty thousandth part of an inch. The theory of ethereal undulations is applicable not only to the phenomena of light, but also to those of heat.
Difficulty: 16.61
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 21300
What
had
seemed
to
be
smooth
walls
of
bare,
mountainous
rock
proved
on
closer
inspection
to
be
formed
in
undulating
waves
of
ravines
and
tiered
crevices.
Sen 21470
The
impact
of
those
tender,
viridescent
carpets
between
the
endlessly
undulating
crocodile’s
back
of
naked
stone
mountains
was
far
greater
than
it
might’ve
been
in
a
more
fertile
and
equable
landscape.
293
mesmerised
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.59
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 8440
I
was
mesmerised
by
it,
bewildered,
and
strangely
ashamed.
Sen 24043
So
mesmerised
were
they
by
his
savage
hatred,
and
so
obsessed
were
they
with
his
capture,
that
they
failed
to
detect
the
stealthy
advance
of
Ahmed
Shah
Massoud’s
forces.
294
adherence
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The quality or state of adhering. 2. The state of being fixed in attachment; fidelity; steady attachment; adhesion; as, adherence to a party or to opinions. Syn. -- Adherence, Adhesion. These words, which were once freely interchanged, are now almost entirely separated. Adherence is no longer used to denote physical union, but is applied, to mental states or habits; as, a strict adherence to one's duty; close adherence to the argument, etc. Adhesion is now confined chiefly to the physical sense, except in the phrase "To give in one's adhesion to a cause or a party."
"denote": 1. To mark out plainly; to signify by a visible sign; to serve as the sign or name of; to indicate; to point out; as, the hands of the clock denote the hour. The better to denote her to the doctor. Shak. 2. To be the sign of; to betoken; to signify; to mean. A general expression to denote wickedness of every sort. Gilpin.
"adhesion": 1. The action of sticking; the state of being attached; intimate union; as the adhesion of glue, or of parts united by growth, cement, or the like. 2. Adherence; steady or firm attachment; fidelity; as, to error, to a policy. His adhesion to the Tories was bounded by his approbation of their foreign policy. De Quincey. 3. Agreement to adhere; concurrence; assent. To that treaty Spain and England gave in their adhesion. Macaulay. 4. (Physics) The molecular attraction exerted between bodies in contact. See Cohesion. 5. (Med.) Union of surface, normally separate, by the formation of new tissue resulting from an inflammatory process. 6. (Bot.) The union of parts which are separate in other plants, or in younger states of the same plant. Syn. -- Adherence; union. See Adherence.
Difficulty: 16.59
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 22853
When
Nazeer
was
sufficiently
recovered,
he
insisted
on
burying
Abdel
Khader
Khan
with
the
strictest
adherence
to
ritual.
Sen 23281
They
prayed
every
day,
but
not
in
strict
adherence
to
the
timetable
of
three
sessions,
ordained
by
Shia
Islam,
or
the
five
sessions
of
the
Sunni
Muslims.
295
candour
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.58
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 3855
When
I
learned
to
speak
her
language
well
enough,
she
told
me
with
disarming
candour
how
disappointed
she’d
been
when
she’d
scrutinised
Kishan
for
the
first
time.
Sen 20558
We
shook
hands,
sizing
one
another
up
with
equal
candour
and
affability.
296
gnarled
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Knotty; full of knots or gnarls; twisted; crossgrained. The unwedgeable and gnarléd oak. Shak.
"crossgrained": 1. Having the grain or fibers run diagonally, or more or less transversely an irregularly, so as to interfere with splitting or planing. If the stuff proves crossgrained, . . . then you must turn your stuff to plane it the contrary way. Moxon. 2. Perverse; untractable; contrary. She was none of your crossgrained, termagant, scolding jades. Arbuthnot.
"unwedgeable": Not to be split with wedges. [Obs.] Shak.
"knotty": 1. Full of knots; knotted; having many knots; as, knotty timber; a knotty rope. 2. Hard; rugged; as, a knotty head.[R.] Rewe. 3. Difficult; intricate; perplexed. A knotty point to which we now proceed Pope.
Difficulty: 16.56
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 2396
They
were
huge
hands,
gnarled
and
calloused
enough
to
scrape
the
barnacles
off
the
side
of
a
dry-docked
oil
tanker.
Sen 5911
With
a
curt
but
respectful
nod
to
Khader,
he
began
to
mull
tobacco
and
hashish
in
his
gnarled
hands.
297
wince
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. To shrink, as from a blow, or from pain; to flinch; to start back. I will not stir, nor wince, nor speak a word. Shak. 2. To kick or flounce when unsteady, or impatient at a rider; as, a horse winces.
The act of one who winces.
A reel used in dyeing, steeping, or washing cloth; a winch. It is placed over the division wall between two wince pits so as to allow the cloth to descend into either compartment. at will. Wince pit, Wince pot, a tank or a pit where cloth in the process of dyeing or manufacture is washed, dipped in a mordant, or the like.
"flounce": To throw the limbs and body one way and the other; to spring, turn, or twist with sudden effort or violence; to struggle, as a horse in mire; to flounder; to throw one's self with a jerk or spasm, often as in displeasure. To flutter and flounce will do nothing but batter and bruise us. Barrow. With his broad fins and forky tail he laves The rising sirge, and flounces in the waves. Addison.
The act of floucing; a sudden, jerking motion of the body.
An ornamental appendage to the skirt of a woman's dress, consisting of a strip gathered and sewed on by its upper edge around the skirt, and left hanging.
To deck with a flounce or flounces; as, to flounce a petticoat or a frock.
"mordant": 1. Biting; caustic; sarcastic; keen; severe. 2. (Dyeing & Calico Printing) Serving to fix colors.
1. Any corroding substance used in etching. 2. (Dyeing & Calico Printing) Any substance, as alum or copperas, which, having a twofold attraction for organic fibers and coloring matter, serves as a bond of union, and thus gives fixity to, or bites in, the dyes. 3. (Gilding) Any sticky matter by which the gold leaf is made to adhere.
To subject to the action of, or imbue with, a mordant; as, to mordant goods for dyeing.
Difficulty: 16.54
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 19834
I
saw
Gupta-ji’s
lips
pout
and
his
eyes
squint
in
a
wince,
and
then
his
face
exploded
in
a
shower
of
sparks
that
left
the
world
darker
than
a
cave
full
of
sleeping
bats.
Sen 27399
I
felt
the
wince
of
guilt
that
litter-conscious
westerners
invariably
experience,
and
reminded
myself
that
the
mess
on
the
road
would
be
collected
by
rag-pickers
who
depended
on
the
litter
for
their
livelihood.
298
disfigurements
prev
next
Definition (disfigurement)
Definition (disfigurement)
1. Act of disfiguring, or state of being disfigured; deformity. Milton. 2. That which disfigures; a defacement; a blot. Uncommon expressions . . . are a disfigurement rather than any embellishment of discourse. Hume.
"defacement": 1. The act of defacing, or the condition of being defaced; injury to the surface or exterior; obliteration. 2. That which mars or disfigures. Bacon.
"embellishment": 1. The act of adorning, or the state of being adorned; adornment. In the selection of their ground, as well as in the embellishment of it. Prescott. 2. That which adds beauty or elegance; ornament; decoration; as, pictorial embellishments. The graces and embellishments of the exterior man. I. Taylor.
Difficulty: 16.54
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 6305
I
don’t
know
why—the
price,
perhaps,
that
women
pay
for
their
loveliness—but
the
disfigurements
seemed
more
ghastly
for
the
women
than
they
were
for
the
men.
Sen 22830
In
some
ways,
he
resembled
Ranjit’s
lepers,
but
his
wounds
were
so
raw
and
bloody,
and
the
teeth
were
so
smashed,
that
Ranjit’s
disfigurements
seemed
benign
in
comparison.
299
prow
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The fore part of a vessel; the bow; the stem; hence, the vessel itself. Wordsworth. The floating vessel swum Uplifted, and secure with beaked prow rode tilting o'er the waves. Milton.
See Proa.
Valiant; brave; gallant; courageous. [Archaic] Tennyson. The prowest knight that ever field did fight. Spenser.
Benefit; profit; good; advantage. [Obs.] That shall be for your hele and for your prow. Chaucer.
"proa": A sailing canoe of the Ladrone Islands and Malay Archipelago, having its lee side flat and its weather side like that of an ordinary boat. The ends are alike. The canoe is long and narrow, and is kept from overturning by a cigar-shaped log attached to a frame extending several feet to windward. It has been called the flying proa, and is the swiftest sailing craft known.
"beaked": 1. Having a beak or a beaklike point; beak-shaped. "Each beaked promontory." Milton. 2. (Biol.) Furnished with a process or a mouth like a beak; rostrate. Beaked whale (Zoöl.), a cetacean of the genus Hyperoodon; the bottlehead whale.
"swum": imp. & p. p. of Swim.
"hele": Health; welfare. [Obs.] "In joy and perfyt hele." Chaucer.
To hide; to cover; to roof. [Obs.] Hide and hele things. Chaucer.
Difficulty: 16.51
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 25453
Amir
was
a
scarred,
blunt-headed
man
with
thick,
tangled
eyebrows
and
a
moustache
that
rode
the
cresting
wave
of
his
full
upper
lip
like
the
wide
prow
of
a
Kashmiri
houseboat.
Sen 28090
Only
the
prow
and
a
few
metres
of
the
long
boat’s
gunnels
protruded
from
the
surrounding
waves
of
sand.
300
flatbreads
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.50
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 3789
After
the
shower,
and
a
delicious
meal
of
dhal,
rice,
and
homemade
flatbreads,
Prabaker
and
I
watched
as
his
parents
and
his
two
sisters
opened
their
presents.
Sen 3981
The
roti,
or
unleavened
flatbreads,
were
made
fresh
for
each
breakfast,
and
cooked
in
a
lightly
oiled
wok
on
an
open
fire.
301
wintry
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Suitable to winter; resembling winter, or what belongs to winter; brumal; hyemal; cold; stormy; wintery. Touch our chilled hearts with vernal smile, Our wintry course do thou beguile. Keble.
"vernal": 1. Of or pertaining to the spring; appearing in the spring; as, vernal bloom. 2. Fig.: Belonging to youth, the spring of life. When after the long vernal day of life. Thomson. And seems it hard thy vernal years Few vernal joys can show Keble. Vernal equinox (Astron.), the time when the sun crosses the equator when proceeding northward. -- Vernal grass (Bot.), a low, soft grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum), producing in the spring narrow spikelike panicles, and noted for the delicious fragrance which it gives to new-mown hay; -- also called sweet vernal grass. See Illust. in Appendix. -- Vernal signs (Astron.), the signs, Aries, Taurus, and Gemini, in which the sun appears between the vernal equinox and summer solstice.
"hyemal": Belonging to winter; done in winter. Sir T. Browne.
"brumal": Of or pertaining to winter. "The brumal solstice." Sir T. Browne.
"wintery": Wintry.
"beguile": 1. To delude by guile, artifice, or craft; to deceive or impose on, as by a false statement; to lure. The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. Gen. iii. 13. 2. To elude, or evade by craft; to foil. [Obs.] When misery could beguile the tyrant's rage. Shak. 3. To cause the time of to pass without notice; to relieve the tedium or weariness of; to while away; to divert. Ballads . . . to beguile his incessant wayfaring. W. Irving. Syn. -- To delude; deceive; cheat; insnare; mislead; amuse; divert; entertain.
Difficulty: 16.50
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 21466
The
steep
mountain
slopes
of
the
country
were
barren,
burned
of
life
by
biting
wintry
winds,
but
every
flat
plain,
no
matter
how
small,
was
a
vivid,
living
green.
Sen 22174
There
were
dark,
thick
clouds
massed
to
the
east
of
us,
and
the
cold
air
was
damp
with
the
rain
and
snow
they
would
bring,
but
for
the
moment
we
could
see
all
the
way
to
the
end
of
the
world,
and
our
wintry
eyes
were
drowning
in
the
beauty
of
it.
302
broiling
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Excessively hot; as, a broiling sun. -- n. The act of causing anything to broil.
Difficulty: 16.46
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 3142
From
the
broiling
tangle
of
bodies,
one
man
emerged
and
walked
towards
us.
Sen 5408
I
allowed
my
life
to
be
swept
up
in
the
broiling,
dancing
struggle
of
their
twenty-five
thousand
lives.
303
scepticism
prev
next
Definition
Definition
etc. See Skeptic, Skeptical, Skepticism, etc.
Difficulty: 16.46
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 7708
The
women
reacted
with
shocked
scepticism,
chattering
amongst
themselves.
Sen 28458
Although
I’d
tried
to
hide
it,
I
knew
she’d
picked
up
the
scepticism
barbed
with
righteous
censure
in
my
tone.
304
meandering
prev
next
Definition (meander)
Definition (meander)
1. A winding, crooked, or involved course; as, the meanders of the veins and arteries. Sir M. Hale. While lingering rivers in meanders glide. Sir R. Blackmore. 2. A tortuous or intricate movement. 3. (Arch.) Fretwork. See Fret.
To wind, turn, or twist; to make flexuous. Dryton.
To wind or turn in a course or passage; to be intricate. Five miles meandering with a mazy motion Through wood and dale the sacred river ran. Coleridge.
"mazy": Perplexed with turns and windings; winding; intricate; confusing; perplexing; embarrassing; as, mazy error. Milton. To range amid the mazy thicket. Spenser. To run the ring, and trace the mazy round. Dryden.
"fretwork": Work adorned with frets; ornamental openwork or work in relief, esp. when elaborate and minute in its parts. Heuce, any minute play of light andshade, dark and light, or the like. Banqueting on the turf in the fretwork of shade and sunshine. Macaulay.
"flexuous": 1. Having turns, windings, or flexures. 2. (Bot.) Having alternate curvatures in opposite directions; bent in a zigzag manner. 3. Wavering; not steady; flickering. Bacon.
"tortuous": 1. Bent in different directions; wreathed; twisted; winding; as, a tortuous train; a tortuous train; a tortuous leaf or corolla. The badger made his dark and tortuous hole on the side of every hill where the copsewood grew thick. Macaulay. 2. Fig.: Deviating from rectitude; indirect; erroneous; deceitful. That course became somewhat lesstortuous, when the battle of the Boyne had cowed the spirit of the Jakobites. Macaulay. 3. Injurious: tortious. [Obs.] 4. (Astrol.) Oblique; -- applied to the six signs of the zodiac (from Capricorn to Gemini) which ascend most rapidly and obliquely. [Obs.] Skeat. Infortunate ascendent tortuous. Chaucer. --Tor"tu*ous*ly, adv. -- Tor"tu*ous*ness, n.
Difficulty: 16.45
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 15016
He
kicked
the
bike
into
gear,
and
roared
off
into
the
meandering
traffic.
Sen 26782
So
I
moved
between
the
frantic
flow
of
cars,
bikes,
buses,
trucks,
and
push-carts,
and
the
meandering
progress
of
tourists
and
shoppers,
and
let
my
thoughts
drift
into
the
heat
and
the
street.
305
enthused
prev
next
Definition (enthuse)
Definition (enthuse)
To make or become enthusiastic. [Slang]
Difficulty: 16.44
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 875
‘Oh,
yes!’
Prabaker
enthused.
Sen 14657
He
was
enjoying
himself
in
the
discussion,
and
I
realised
that
I’d
never
seen
him
quite
so
animated
or
enthused.
306
chor
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.40
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 10739
I
loved
those
kilometres
from
Chor
bazaar,
past
Crawford
Market,
V.T.
Sen 12349
Their
room
was
known
as
the
chor
mahal,
the
abode
of
thieves,
and
the
men
were
known
as
the
black
hats,
the
kala
topis—like
Ranjit’s
lepers—because
convicted
thieves
at
the
infamous
Arthur
Road
Prison
were
forced
to
wear
a
black
hat
with
their
prison
uniform.
307
finality
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The state of being final, finished, or complete; a final or conclusive arrangement; a settlement. Baxter. 2. The relation of end or purpose to its means. Janet.
Difficulty: 16.40
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 1170
‘They’re
wrong,’
she
said
with
terse
finality.
Sen 8109
I
did
want
to
know,
but
she
turned
her
face
away
to
stare
out
the
window,
and
there
was
a
finality
in
the
gesture
that
warned
and
prohibited.
308
inflection
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The act of inflecting, or the state of being inflected. 2. A bend; a fold; a curve; a turn; a twist. 3. A slide, modulation, or accent of the voice; as, the rising and the falling inflection. 4. (Gram.) The variation or change which words undergo to mark case, gender, number, comparison, tense, person, mood, voice, etc. 5. (Mus.) (a) Any change or modification in the pitch or tone of the voice. (b) A departure from the monotone, or reciting note, in chanting. 6. (Opt.) Same as Diffraction. Point of inflection (Geom.), the point on opposite sides of which a curve bends in contrary ways.
"inflected": 1. Bent; turned; deflected. 2. (Gram.) Having inflections; capable of, or subject to, inflection; inflective. Inflected cycloid (Geom.), a prolate cycloid. See Cycloid.
"diffraction": The deflection and decomposition of light in passing by the edges of opaque bodies or through narrow slits, causing the appearance of parallel bands or fringes of prismatic colors, as by the action of a grating of fine lines or bars. Remarked by Grimaldi (1665), and referred by him to a property of light which he called diffraction. Whewell. Diffraction grating. (Optics) See under Grating. -- Diffraction spectrum. (Optics) See under Spectrum.
"modulation": 1. The act of modulating, or the state of being modulated; as, the modulation of the voice. 2. Sound modulated; melody. [R.] Thomson. 3. (Mus.) A change of key, whether transient, or until the music becomes established in the new key; a shifting of the tonality of a piece, so that the harmonies all center upon a new keynote or tonic; the art of transition out of the original key into one nearly related, and so on, it may be, by successive changes, into a key quite remote. There are also sudden and unprepared modulations.
"monotone": 1. (Mus.) A single unvaried tone or sound. 2. (Rhet.) The utterance of successive syllables, words, or sentences, on one unvaried key or line of pitch.
Difficulty: 16.39
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 26901
‘And
it’s
a
pleasure
to
meet
you,’
he
countered,
with
the
well-rounded
and
musical
inflection
of
Bombay’s
best
private
schools
and
universities:
my
favourite
accent
in
all
the
beautiful
ways
to
speak
the
English
language.
Sen 26905
In
that
context
and
with
that
inflection
it
meant
Oh,
yeah?
309
profiteers
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.38
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 17474
The
city
was
full
of
mercenaries,
fugitives,
criminals,
black-market
profiteers,
and
wild-eyed,
bare-knuckled
opportunists
from
all
over
Africa.
Sen 20476
But
with
a
little
luck
and
skilful
connivance,
the
profiteers
hoped,
the
army
might
remain
in
control
of
the
country—and
the
well-established
channels
of
corruption—for
some
years
yet.
310
derision
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The act of deriding, or the state of being derided; mockery; scornful or contemptuous treatment which holds one up to ridicule. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall have them in derision. Ps. ii. 4. Saderision called. Milton. 2. An object of derision or scorn; a laughing-stock. I was a derision to all my people. Lam. iii. 14. Syn. -- Scorn; mockery; contempt; insult; ridicule.
"contemptuous": Manifecting or expressing contempt or disdain; scornful; haughty; insolent; disdainful. A proud, contemptious behavior. Hammond. Savage invectiveand contemptuous sarcasm. Macaulay. Rome . . . entertained the most contemptuous opinion of the Jews. Atterbury. Syn. -- Scornful; insolent; haughty; disdainful; supercilious; insulting; contumelious. -- Contemptuous, Contemptible. These words, from their similarity of sound, are sometimes erroneously interchanged, as when a person speaks of having "a very contemptible opinion of another." Contemptible is applied to that which is the object of contempt; as, contemptible conduct; acontemptible fellow. Contemptuous is applied to that which indicates contempts; as, a contemptuous look; a contemptuous remark; contemptuous treatment. A person, or whatever is personal, as an action, an expression, a feeling, an opinion, may be either contemptuous or contemptible; a thing may be contemptible, but can not be contemptuous.
"scornful": 1. Full of scorn or contempt; contemptuous; disdainful. Scornful of winter's frost and summer's sun. Prior. Dart not scornful glances from those eyes. Shak. 2. Treated with scorn; exciting scorn. [Obs.] The scornful mark of every open eye. Shak. Syn. -- Contemptuous; disdainful; contumelious; reproachful; insolent. -- Scorn"ful*ly, adv. -- Scorn"ful*ness, n.
Difficulty: 16.35
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 2741
‘Well,
how
was
I
to
know
that
she
would
want
to
wear
it
outside
the
apartment?’
he
countered
lamely,
provoking
laughter
and
derision
from
the
whole
group.
Sen 3210
It
was
fully
equal,
his
glaring
eyes
left
no
doubt,
to
the
derision
he
felt
for
me.
311
constricted
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Drawn together; bound; contracted; cramped. 2. (Bot.) Contracted or compressed so as to be smaller in certain places or parts than in others.
Difficulty: 16.34
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 2297
The
buildings
were
cracked
and
smeared,
the
constricted
passage-ways
were
crowded
with
goats,
chickens,
dogs,
and
people,
and
each
thin
face
showed
the
shade
and
hollows
of
penury,
but
the
streets
and
the
people
were
stainlessly,
scrupulously
clean.
Sen 3301
And
I
learned
more,
during
those
fourteen
constricted
and
largely
silent
hours
in
the
crowded
economy-class
section,
communicating
without
language,
than
I
could’ve
learned
in
a
month
of
travelling
first
class.
312
bluestone
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Blue vitriol. Dunglison. 2. A grayish blue building stone, as that commonly used in the eastern United States.
"vitriol": (a) A sulphate of any one of certain metals, as copper, iron, zinc, cobalt. So called on account of the glassy appearance or luster. (b) Sulphuric acid; -- called also oil of vitriol. So called because first made by the distillation of green vitriol. See Sulphuric acid, under Sulphuric. [Colloq.] Blue vitriol. See under Blue. -- Green vitriol, ferrous sulphate; copperas. See under Green. -- Oil of vitriol, sulphuric or vitriolic acid; -- popularly so called because it has the consistency of oil. -- Red vitriol, a native sulphate of cobalt. -- Vitriol of Mars, ferric sulphate, a white crystalline substance which dissolves in water, forming a red solution. -- White vitriol, zinc sulphate, a white crystalline substance used in medicine and in dyeing. It is usually obtained by dissolving zinc in sulphuric acid, or by roasting and oxidizing certain zinc ores. Formerly called also vitriol of zinc.
"grayish": Somewhat gray.
Difficulty: 16.34
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 5307
I
clambered
over
the
bluestone
parapet,
and
took
hold
of
the
cord.
Sen 11952
The
hotel
was
built
upon
a
tall
platform
of
bluestone
and
granite
blocks,
with
ten
marble
steps
leading
up
to
each
wide
entrance.
313
centimetre
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The hundredth part of a meter; a measure of length equal to rather more than thirty-nine hundredths (0.3937) of an inch. See Meter.
Difficulty: 16.34
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 3272
Every
available
centimetre
of
seating
space
was
occupied,
even
to
the
sturdy
metal
luggage
racks
over
our
heads.
Sen 10864
I
glanced
at
his
torn,
bloody
shirt,
and
at
the
cuts
and
bruises
that
were
swelling
on
his
face
and
every
exposed
centimetre
of
flesh.
314
duplication
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The act of duplicating, or the state of being duplicated; a doubling; a folding over; a fold. 2. (Biol.) The act or process of dividing by natural growth or spontaneous action; as, the duplication of cartilage cells. Carpenter. Duplication of the cube (Math.), the operation of finding a cube having a volume which is double that of a given cube.
Difficulty: 16.33
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 1362
For
many,
the
duplication
of
their
own
images
in
two
or
more
mirrors
at
the
same
time
was
not
least
among
the
pleasures
of
the
pastime.
Sen 20637
Side
streets
and
lateral
avenues
revealed
that
the
duplication
of
those
crude,
resemblant
structures
extended
all
the
way
to
the
horizon
of
sight,
on
either
side
of
the
main
road.
315
exhilarated
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next
Definition (exhilarate)
Definition (exhilarate)
To make merry or jolly; to enliven; to animate; to gladden greatly; to cheer; as, good news exhilarates the mind; wine exhilarates a man.
To become joyous. [R.] Bacon.
"enliven": 1. To give life, action, or motion to; to make vigorous or active; to excite; to quicken; as, fresh fuel enlivens a fire. Lo! of themselves th' enlivened chessmen move. Cowley. 2. To give spirit or vivacity to; to make sprightly, gay, or cheerful; to animate; as, mirth and good humor enliven a company; enlivening strains of music. Syn. -- To animate; rouse; inspire; cheer; encourage; comfort; exhilarate; inspirit; invigorate.
"gladden": To make glad; to cheer; to please; to gratify; to rejoice; to exhilarate. A secret pleasure gladdened all that saw him. Addison.
To be or become glad; to rejoice. The vast Pacific gladdens with the freight. Wordsworth.
Difficulty: 16.32
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 3920
Exhilarated
and
afraid,
they
were
at
the
point
of
striking
when
they
realised
that
the
men
were
allies.
Sen 4584
She
was
exhilarated,
and
perhaps
a
little
unnerved.
316
sunburst
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A burst of sunlight.
Difficulty: 16.29
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 1373
Its
intricate
tile-work
replicated
the
pattern
used
in
a
north
Indian
palace,
with
hexagons
in
black,
cream,
and
brown
radiating
from
a
central
sunburst.
Sen 21819
There
was
a
sunburst
of
gold
around
the
pupils
of
his
eyes
that
seemed
to
pulse
and
whirl.
317
immensity
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The state or quality of being immense; inlimited or immeasurable extension; infinity; vastness in extent or bulk; greatness. Lost in the wilds of vast immensity. Blackmore. The immensity of the material system. I. Taylor.
Difficulty: 16.29
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 117
I
began
to
look
beyond
the
immensity
of
the
slum
societies,
and
to
see
the
people
who
lived
within
them.
Sen 7557
We’d
reached
the
perimeter
of
the
legal
slum,
and
the
megalithic
immensity
of
the
twin
skyscrapers
loomed
before
us.
318
inexorable
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Not to be persuaded or moved by entreaty or prayer; firm; determined; unyielding; unchangeable; inflexible; relentless; as, an inexorable prince or tyrant; an inexorable judge. "Inexorable equality of laws." Gibbon. "Death's inexorable doom." Dryden. You are more inhuman, more inexorable, O, ten times more than tigers of Hyrcania. Shak.
"entreaty": 1. Treatment; reception; entertainment. [Obs.] B. Jonson. 2. The act of entreating or beseeching; urgent prayer; earnest petition; pressing solicitation. Fair entreaty, and sweet blandishment. Spenser. Syn. -- Solicitation; request; suit; supplication; importunity.
Difficulty: 16.28
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 4821
Stunned,
afraid,
but
not
in
panic,
I
watched
the
inexorable
advance
of
the
inferno,
and
decided
that
the
cause
was
lost.
Sen 25385
Somehow,
Salman’s
casual
remark
that
we
all
blamed
ourselves
for
not
being
with
Khader
when
he
died
had
shaken
my
frozen
sorrowing
free,
and
the
slow,
inexorable
snowslip
of
its
heartache
began,
right
there
and
then.
319
writhe
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. To twist; to turn; now, usually, to twist or turn so as to distort; to wring. "With writhing [turning] of a pin." Chaucer. Then Satan first knew pain, And writhed him to and fro. Milton. Her mouth she writhed, her forehead taught to frown. Dryden. His battle-writhen arms, and mighty hands. Tennyson. 2. To wrest; to distort; to pervert. The reason which he yieldeth showeth the least part of his meaning to be that whereunto his words are writhed. Hooker. 3. To extort; to wring; to wrest. [R.] The nobility hesitated not to follow the example of their sovereign in writhing money from them by every species of oppression. Sir W. Scott.
To twist or contort the body; to be distorted; as, to writhe with agony. Also used figuratively. After every attempt, he felt that he had failed, and writhed with shame and vexation. Macaulay.
"contort": To twist, or twist together; to turn awry; to bend; to distort; to wrest. The vertebral arteries are variously contorted. Ray. Kant contorted the term category from the proper meaning of attributed. Sir W. Hamilton.
"vexation": 1. The act of vexing, or the state of being vexed; agitation; disquiet; trouble; irritation. Passions too violent . . . afford us nothing but vexation and pain. Sir W. Temple. Those who saw him after a defeat looked in vain for any trace of vexation. Macaulay. 2. The cause of trouble or disquiet; affliction. Your children were vexation to your youth. Shak. 3. A harassing by process of law; a vexing or troubling, as by a malicious suit. Bacon. Syn. -- Chagrin; agitation; mortification; uneasiness; trouble; grief; sorrow; distress. See Chagrin.
"wrest": 1. To turn; to twist; esp., to twist or extort by violence; to pull of force away by, or as if by, violent wringing or twisting. "The secret wrested from me." Milton. Our country's cause, That drew our swords, now secret wrests them from our hand. Addison. They instantly wrested the government out of the hands of Hastings. Macaulay. 2. To turn from truth; to twist from its natural or proper use or meaning by violence; to pervert; to distort. Wrest once the law to your authority. Shak. Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor. Ex. xxiii. 6. Their arts of wresting, corrupting, and false interpreting the holy text. South. 3. To tune with a wrest, or key. [Obs.]
1. The act of wresting; a wrench; a violent twist; hence, distortion; perversion. Hooker. 2. Active or moving power. [Obs.] Spenser. 3. A key to tune a stringed instrument of music. The minstrel . . . wore round his neck a silver chain, by which hung the wrest, or key, with which he tuned his harp. Sir W. Scott. 4. A partition in a water wheel, by which the form of the buckets is determined. Wrest pin (Piano Manuf.), one of the pins around which the ends of the wires are wound in a piano. Knight. -- Wrest plank (Piano Manuf.), the part in which the wrest pins are inserted.
"whereunto": Same as Whereto.
Difficulty: 16.28
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 24533
The
walls
and
fences
on
either
side
of
the
lane
were
made
of
stone,
brick,
and
cement,
patched
together
over
many
decades,
and
swarming
with
a
wormy
writhe
of
plants,
mosses,
and
creepers.
Sen 27186
But
they
hadn’t
lived
in
those
miraculous
acres,
and
they
hadn’t
learned
that
to
survive
in
such
a
writhe
of
hope
and
sorrow
the
people
had
to
be
scrupulously
and
heartbreakingly
honest.
320
assent
prev
next
Definition
Definition
To admit a thing as true; to express one's agreement, acquiescence, concurrence, or concession. Who informed the governor . . . And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so. Acts xxiv. 9. The princess assented to all that was suggested. Macaulay. Syn. -- To yield; agree; acquiesce; concede; concur.
The act of assenting; the act of the mind in admitting or agreeing to anything; concurrence with approval; consent; agreement; acquiescence. Faith is the assent to any proposition, on the credit of the proposer. Locke. The assent, if not the approbation, of the prince. Prescott. Too many people read this ribaldry with assent and admiration. Macaulay. Royal assent, in England, the assent of the sovereign to a bill which has passed both houses of Parliament, after which it becomes law. Syn. -- Concurrence; acquiescence; approval; accord. -- Assent, Consent. Assent is an act of the understanding, consent of the will or feelings. We assent to the views of others when our minds come to the same conclusion with theirs as to what is true, right, or admissible. We consent when there is such a concurrence of our will with their desires and wishes that we decide to comply with their requests. The king of England gives his assent, not his consent, to acts of Parliament, because, in theory at least, he is not governed by personal feelings or choice, but by a deliberate, judgment as to the common good. We also use assent in cases where a proposal is made which involves but little interest or feeling. A lady may assent to a gentleman's opening the window; but if he offers himself in marriage, he must wait for her consent.
"acquiesce": 1. To rest satisfied, or apparently satisfied, or to rest without opposition and discontent (usually implying previous opposition or discontent); to accept or consent by silence or by omitting to object; -- followed by in, formerly also by with and to. They were compelled to acquiesce in a government which they did not regard as just. De Quincey. 2. To concur upon conviction; as, to acquiesce in an opinion; to assent to; usually, to concur, not heartily but so far as to forbear opposition. Syn. -- To submit; comply; yield; assent; agree; consent; accede; concur; conform; accept tacitly.
"ribaldry": The talk of a ribald; low, vulgar language; indecency; obscenity; lewdness; -- now chiefly applied to indecent language, but formerly, as by Chaucer, also to indecent acts or conduct. The ribaldry of his conversation moved Macaulay.
"acquiescence": 1. A silent or passive assent or submission, or a submission with apparent content; -- distinguished from avowed consent on the one hand, and on the other, from opposition or open discontent; quiet satisfaction. 2. (Crim. Law) (a) Submission to an injury by the party injured. (b) Tacit concurrence in the action of another. Wharton. p. 17
"proposer": 1. One who proposes or offers anything for consideration or adoption. 2. A speaker; an orator. [Obs.] Shak.
"concurrence": 1. The act of concurring; a meeting or coming together; union; conjunction; combination. We have no other measure but our own ideas, with the concurence of other probable reasons, to persuade us. Locke. 2. A meeting of minds; agreement in opinion; union in design or act; -- implying joint approbation. Tarquin the Proud was expelled by the universal concurrence of nobles and people. Swift. 3. Agreement or consent, implying aid or contribution of power or influence; coöperation. We collect the greatness of the work, and the necessity of the divine concurrence to it. Rogers. An instinct that works us to its own purposes without our concurrence. Burke. 4. A common right; coincidence of equal powers; as, a concurrence of jurisdiction in two different courts.
"approbation": 1. Proof; attestation. [Obs.] Shak. 2. The act of approving; an assenting to the propriety of a thing with some degree of pleasure or satisfaction; approval; sanction; commendation. Many . . . joined in a loud hum of approbation. Macaulay. The silent approbation of one's own breast. Melmoth. Animals . . . love approbation or praise. Darwin. 3. Probation or novitiate. [Obs.] This day my sister should the cloister enter, And there receive her approbation. Shak. Syn. -- Approval; liking; sanction; consent; concurrence. -- Approbation, Approval. Approbation and approval have the same general meaning, assenting to or declaring as good, sanction, commendation; but approbation is stronger and more positive. "We may be anxious for the approbation of our friends; but we should be still more anxious for the approval of our own consciences." "He who is desirous to obtain universal approbation will learn a good lesson from the fable of the old man and his ass." "The work has been examined by several excellent judges, who have expressed their unqualified approval of its plan and execution."
"assenting": Giving or implying assent. -- As*sent"ing*ly, adv.
Difficulty: 16.27
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 9044
Sobhan
Mahmoud
wagged
his
head
in
assent,
his
gleaming
eyes
nesting
under
a
tufted
ledge
of
grey
eyebrows.
Sen 27306
Finally,
Joseph
smiled
and
gave
his
assent.
321
abstraction
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The act of abstracting, separating, or withdrawing, or the state of being withdrawn; withdrawal. A wrongful abstraction of wealth from certain members of the community. J. S. Mill. 2. (Metaph.) The act process of leaving out of consideration one or more properties of a complex object so as to attend to others; analysis. Thus, when the mind considers the form of a tree by itself, or the color of the leaves as separate from their size or figure, the act is called abstraction. So, also, when it considers whiteness, softness, virtue, existence, as separate from any particular objects. Note: Abstraction is necessary to classification, by which things are arranged in genera and species. We separate in idea the qualities of certain objects, which are of the same kind, from others which are different, in each, and arrange the objects having the same properties in a class, or collected body. Abstraction is no positive act: it is simply the negative of attention. Sir W. Hamilton. 3. An idea or notion of an abstract, or theoretical nature; as, to fight for mere abstractions. 4. A separation from worldly objects; a recluse life; as, a hermit's abstraction. 5. Absence or absorption of mind; inattention to present objects. 6. The taking surreptitiously for one's own use part of the property of another; purloining. [Modern] 7. (Chem.) A separation of volatile parts by the act of distillation. Nicholson.
"distillation": 1. The act of falling in drops, or the act of pouring out in drops. 2. That which falls in drops. [R.] Johnson 3. (Chem.) The separation of the volatile parts of a substance from the more fixed; specifically, the operation of driving off gas or vapor from volatile liquids or solids, by heat in a retort or still, and the condensation of the products as far as possible by a cool receiver, alembic, or condenser; rectification; vaporization; condensation; as, the distillation of illuminating gas and coal, of alcohol from sour mash, or of boric acid in steam. Note: The evaporation of water, its condensation into clouds, and its precipitation as rain, dew, frost, snow, or hail, is an illustration of natural distillation. 4. The substance extracted by distilling. Shak. Destructive distillation (Chem.), the distillation, especially of complex solid substances, so that the ultimate constituents are separated or evolved in new compounds, -- usually requiring a high degree of heat; as, the destructive distillation of soft coal or of wood. -- Dry distillation, the distillation of substances by themselves, or without the addition of water or of other volatile solvent; as, the dry distillation of citric acid. -- Fractional distillation. (Chem.) See under Fractional.
"genera": See Genus.
"whiteness": 1. The quality or state of being white; white color, or freedom from darkness or obscurity on the surface. Chaucer. 2. Want of a sanguineous tinge; paleness; as from terror, grief, etc. "The whiteness in thy cheek." Shak. 3. Freedom from stain or blemish; purity; cleanness. He had kept The whiteness of his soul, and thus men o'er him wept. Byron. 4. Nakedness. [Obs.] Chapman. 5. (Zoöl.) A flock of swans.
"inattention": Want of attention, or failure to pay attention; disregard; heedlessness; neglect. Novel lays attract our ravished ears; But old, the mind inattention hears. Pope. Syn. -- Inadvertence; heedlessness; negligence; carelessness; disregard; remissness; thoughtlessness; neglect. -- Inattention, Inadvertence. We miss seeing a thing through inadvertence when do not happen to look at it; through inattention when we give no heed to it, though directly before us. The latter is therefore the worse. Inadvertence may be an involuntary accident; inattention is culpable neglect. A versatile mind is often inadvertent; a careless or stupid one is inattentive.
Difficulty: 16.26
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 1287
And
writing
was
one
of
the
things
that
saved
me:
the
discipline
and
abstraction
of
putting
my
life
into
words,
every
day,
helped
me
to
cope
with
shame
and
its
first
cousin,
despair.
Sen 26512
He
made
the
little
speech
so
calmly,
and
then
sipped
at
his
tea
with
such
contented
abstraction,
that
it
exaggerated
the
weirdness
of
his
delusion.
322
crumple
prev
next
Definition
Definition
To draw or press into wrinkles or folds to crush together; to rumple; as, to crumple paper. They crumpled it into all shapes, and diligently scanned every wrinkle that could be made. Addison.
To contract irregularly; to show wrinkless after being crushed together; as, leaves crumple.
"irregularly": In an irregular manner.
Difficulty: 16.26
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 22460
‘And
the
help
you
gave
me
with
the
clinic?’
I
asked,
feeling
sick,
and
knowing
that
if
I
unlocked
my
knees
and
let
my
legs
relax,
they
would
crumple
and
fold
beneath
me.
Sen 24288
Didier’s
collapse
was
the
work
of
seconds,
and
I
was
watching
him
crumple
and
fade
from
one
heartbeat
to
the
next.
323
roadway
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A road; especially, the part traveled by carriages. Shak.
Difficulty: 16.24
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 543
Trash
tumbled
from
the
windows
above
without
warning,
and
garbage
was
heaped
in
piles
on
the
pavement
or
the
roadway,
where
fat,
fearless
rats
slithered
to
feast.
Sen 6126
Abdullah’s
motorcycle
was
parked
on
the
roadway,
outside
the
slum,
where
several
kids
were
watching
over
it.
324
lattices
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next
Definition (lattice)
Definition (lattice)
1. Any work of wood or metal, made by crossing laths, or thin strips, and forming a network; as, the lattice of a window; -- called also latticework. The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the lattice. Judg. v. 28. 2. (Her.) The representation of a piece of latticework used as a bearing, the bands being vertical and horizontal. Lattice bridge, a bridge supported by lattice girders, or latticework trusses. -- Lattice girder (Arch.), a girder of which the wed consists of diagonal pieces crossing each other in the manner of latticework. -- Lattice plant (Bot.), an aquatic plant of Madagascar (Ouvirandra fenestralis), whose leaves have interstices between their ribs and cross veins, so as to resemble latticework. A second species is O. Berneriana. The genus is merged in Aponogeton by recent authors.
1. To make a lattice of; as, to lattice timbers. 2. To close, as an opening, with latticework; to furnish with a lattice; as, to lattice a window. To lattice up, to cover or inclose with a lattice. Therein it seemeth he [Alexander] hath latticed up Cæsar. Sir T. North.
"latticework": Same as Lattice, n., 1.
"girder": One who girds; a satirist.
1. One who, or that which, girds. 2. (Arch. & Engin.) A main beam; a stright, horizontal beam to span an opening or carry weight, such as ends of floor beams, etc.; hence, a framed or built-up member discharging the same office, technically called a compound girder. See Illusts. of Frame, and Doubleframed floor, under Double. Bowstring girder, Box girder, etc. See under Bowstring, Box, etc. -- Girder bridge. See under Bridge. -- Lattice girder, a girder consisting of longitudinal bars united by diagonal crossing bars. -- Half-lattice girder, a girder consisting of horizontal upper and lower bars connected by a series of diagonal bars sloping alternately in opposite directions so as to divide the space between the bars into a series of triangles. Knight. -- Sandwich girder, a girder consisting of two parallel wooden beams, between which is an iron plate, the whole clamped together by iron bolts.
"inclose": 1. To surround; to shut in; to confine on all sides; to include; to shut up; to encompass; as, to inclose a fort or an army with troops; to inclose a town with walls. How many evils have inclosed me round! Milton. 2. To put within a case, envelope, or the like; to fold (a thing) within another or into the same parcel; as, to inclose a letter or a bank note. The inclosed copies of the treaty. Sir W. Temple. 3. To separate from common grounds by a fence; as, to inclose lands. Blackstone. 4. To put into harness; to harness. [Obs.] They went to coach and their horse inclose. Chapman.
Difficulty: 16.24
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 9442
There
was
a
metal
gate
made
from
hinged,
concertina-style
lattices
behind
him.
Sen 9475
Prabaker
asked
them
to
explain
what
they
wanted,
and
the
two
blue-skinned
men
shouted
their
story,
clutching
at
the
lattices
of
the
gate
as
if
they
were
the
boards
of
a
raft
on
the
open
sea.
325
contemptuous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Manifecting or expressing contempt or disdain; scornful; haughty; insolent; disdainful. A proud, contemptious behavior. Hammond. Savage invectiveand contemptuous sarcasm. Macaulay. Rome . . . entertained the most contemptuous opinion of the Jews. Atterbury. Syn. -- Scornful; insolent; haughty; disdainful; supercilious; insulting; contumelious. -- Contemptuous, Contemptible. These words, from their similarity of sound, are sometimes erroneously interchanged, as when a person speaks of having "a very contemptible opinion of another." Contemptible is applied to that which is the object of contempt; as, contemptible conduct; acontemptible fellow. Contemptuous is applied to that which indicates contempts; as, a contemptuous look; a contemptuous remark; contemptuous treatment. A person, or whatever is personal, as an action, an expression, a feeling, an opinion, may be either contemptuous or contemptible; a thing may be contemptible, but can not be contemptuous.
"contumelious": 1. Exhibiting contumely; rudely contemptuous; insolent; disdainful. Scoffs, and scorns, and contumelious taunts. Shak. Curving a contumelious lip. Tennyson. 2. Shameful; disgraceful. [Obs.] Dr. H. More. -- Con`tu*me"li*ous*ly, adv. -- Con`tu*me"li*ous*ness, n.
"disdainful": Full of disdain; expressing disdain; scornful; contemptuous; haughty. From these Turning disdainful to an equal good. Akenside. -- Dis*dain"ful*ly, adv. -- Dis*dain"ful*ness, n.
"supercilious": Lofty with pride; haughty; dictatorial; overbearing; arrogant; as, a supercilious officer; asupercilious air; supercilious behavior. -- Su`per*cil"i*ous*ly, adv. -- Su`per*cil"i*ous*ness, n.
"scornful": 1. Full of scorn or contempt; contemptuous; disdainful. Scornful of winter's frost and summer's sun. Prior. Dart not scornful glances from those eyes. Shak. 2. Treated with scorn; exciting scorn. [Obs.] The scornful mark of every open eye. Shak. Syn. -- Contemptuous; disdainful; contumelious; reproachful; insolent. -- Scorn"ful*ly, adv. -- Scorn"ful*ness, n.
Difficulty: 16.22
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 7705
‘Her
eyes
are
the
colour
of
stink-weed,’
said
the
first
with
a
contemptuous
sniff.
Sen 9565
The
watchman
wrinkled
his
lips
in
a
pitying
and
contemptuous
sneer.
326
tufted
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Adorned with a tuft; as, the tufted duck. 2. Growing in tufts or clusters; tufty. The tufted crowtoe, and pale jessamine. Milton. Tufted trees and springing corn. Pope. Tufted duck (Zoöl.), the ring-necked duck. [Local, U.S.]
"tufty": 1. Abounding with tufts. Both in the tufty frith and in the mossy fell. Drayton. 2. Growing in tufts or clusters. Where tufty daisies nod at every gale. W. Browne.
"jessamine": Same as Jasmine.
"crowtoe": 1. The Lotus corniculatus. Dr. Prior. 2. An unidentified plant, probably the crowfoot. "The tufted crowtoe." Milton.
Difficulty: 16.22
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 9044
Sobhan
Mahmoud
wagged
his
head
in
assent,
his
gleaming
eyes
nesting
under
a
tufted
ledge
of
grey
eyebrows.
Sen 21471
We
responded
to
each
new
sight
of
a
softly
carpeted
incline
or
tufted,
leafy
moor
with
similar
pleasure—a
deep,
subliminal
response
to
the
vitality
in
the
colour
green.
327
jutting
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Projecting, as corbels, cornices, etc. -- Jut"ting*ly, adv.
Difficulty: 16.22
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 19898
Nazeer
waited
for
her
there,
his
thick
arms
jutting
out
from
the
swollen
trunk
of
his
body.
Sen 23649
But
it
wasn’t
Habib’s
knife
that
we
stared
at,
jutting
out
of
the
muddy,
sinewed
throat
like
a
branch
from
a
riverbed.
328
squelched
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next
Definition (squelch)
Definition (squelch)
To quell; to crush; to silence or put down. [Colloq.] Oh 't was your luck and mine to be squelched. Beau. & Fl. If you deceive us you will be squelched. Carlyle.
A heavy fall, as of something flat; hence, also, a crushing reply. [Colloq.] Hudibras.
Difficulty: 16.22
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 2349
One
foot
strayed
from
the
edge
of
the
wall,
and
my
boot
squelched
into
a
muddy
slime
that
rested
in
the
centre
of
the
path.
Sen 21759
My
hand
squelched
in
a
bloody
wound.
329
fixity
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Fixedness; as, fixity of tenure; also, that which is fixed. 2. Coherence of parts. Sir I. Newton.
"fixedness": 1. The state or quality of being fixed; stability; steadfastness. 2. The quality of a body which resists evaporation or volatilization by heat; solidity; cohesion of parts; as, the fixedness of gold.
"coherence": 1. A sticking or cleaving together; union of parts of the same body; cohesion. 2. Connection or dependence, proceeding from the subordination of the parts of a thing to one principle or purpose, as in the parts of a discourse, or of a system of philosophy; consecutiveness. Coherence of discourse, and a direct tendency of all the parts of it to the argument in hand, are most eminently to be found in him. Locke.
Difficulty: 16.21
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 4207
He
was
a
full
head
and
shoulder
shorter
than
she
was,
and
he
returned
her
baleful
stare
with
the
fixity
of
a
school
bully’s
minor
henchman.
Sen 4765
They
were
all
staring
at
me
with
such
gravity,
such
a
fixity
of
frowning
intensity,
that
I
felt
sure
they
must
bear
me
enormous
ill-will.
330
saucepans
prev
next
Definition (saucepan)
Definition (saucepan)
A small pan with a handle, in which sauce is prepared over a fire; a stewpan.
"stewpan": A pan used for stewing.
Difficulty: 16.19
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 5051
A
stool
found
its
way
into
my
hut,
and
a
water
pot—the
ubiquitous
matka—and
a
set
of
saucepans,
and
a
few
pieces
of
cutlery.
Sen 9650
Carried
back
and
hoisted
through
the
wire,
the
water
had
to
be
boiled
in
saucepans
on
small
kerosene
stoves,
at
some
cost
of
the
relatively
expensive
fuel.
331
harmonium
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A musical instrument, resembling a small organ and especially designed for church music, in which the tones are produced by forcing air by means of a bellows so as to cause the vibration of free metallic reeds. It is now made with one or two keyboards, and has pedals and stops.
Difficulty: 16.18
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 5926
The
musicians
accompanying
the
singers
on
the
harmonium
and
the
tablas
were
animated,
but
the
singers
themselves
were
expressionless,
motionless,
with
their
eyes
closed
and
their
hands
limp.
Sen 20793
The
Blind
Singers
cleared
their
throats
noisily,
and
the
assembly
of
musicians
began
the
introduction
to
a
new
song
with
the
plaintive
wail
of
the
harmonium
and
the
blood-stirring
passion
of
the
tablas.
332
forefinger
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The finger next to the thumb; the index.
Difficulty: 16.17
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 1065
I
liked
the
Helvetian
music
of
her
Swiss-American
English,
and
the
way
she
pushed
her
hair
back
slowly
with
a
thumb
and
forefinger
when
she
was
irritated
by
something.
Sen 8946
He
scratched
at
his
bushy
eyebrows
with
thumb
and
forefinger,
and
then
plunged
into
the
discussion
with
the
confident
air
of
a
man
much
used
to
expressing
his
opinions.
333
diminutive
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Below the average size; very small; little. 2. Expressing diminution; as, a diminutive word. 3. Tending to diminish. [R.] Diminutive of liberty. Shaftesbury.
1. Something of very small size or value; an insignificant thing. Such water flies, diminutives of nature. Shak. 2. (Gram.) A derivative from a noun, denoting a small or a young object of the same kind with that denoted by the primitive; as, gosling, eaglet, lambkin. Babyisms and dear diminutives. Tennyson. Note: The word sometimes denotes a derivative verb which expresses a diminutive or petty form of the action, as scribble.
"eaglet": A young eagle, or a diminutive eagle.
"diminution": 1. The act of diminishing, or of making or becoming less; state of being diminished; reduction in size, quantity, or degree; -- opposed to augmentation or increase. 2. The act of lessening dignity or consideration, or the state of being deprived of dignity; a lowering in estimation; degradation; abasement. The world's opinion or diminution of me. Eikon Basilike. Nor thinks it diminution to be ranked In military honor next. Philips. 3. (Law) Omission, inaccuracy, or defect in a record. 4. (Mus.) In counterpoint, the imitation of, or reply to, a subject, in notes of half the length or value of those the subject itself. Syn. -- Decrease; decay; abatement; reduction; deduction; decrement.
"lambkin": A small lamb.
Difficulty: 16.16
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 817
It
was
a
diminutive
I
never
could’ve
invented
for
myself.
Sen 5626
The
affectionate
diminutive
of
the
name
Ramesh,
Ramu,
provoked
a
wide,
child’s
smile
on
the
young
face.
334
emaciated
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next
Definition (emaciate)
Definition (emaciate)
To lose flesh gradually and become very lean; to waste away in flesh. "He emaciated and pined away." Sir T. Browne.
To cause to waste away in flesh and become very lean; as, his sickness emaciated him.
Emaciated. "Emaciate steeds." T. Warton.
Difficulty: 16.16
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 1817
I
found
it
amazing
that
such
a
feral,
emaciated
creature
should
permit
itself
to
be
petted
by
a
stranger,
and
that
Karla
would
want
to
do
such
a
thing.
Sen 13713
And
despite
their
shock
and
sorrow
when
they
saw
my
emaciated
frame,
and
the
scars
that
the
overseers
had
branded
on
my
skin,
they
never
once
mentioned
the
prison.
335
cobbled
prev
next
Definition (cobble)
Definition (cobble)
A fishing boat. See Coble.
1. A cobblestone. "Their slings held cobbles round." Fairfax. 2. pl. Cob coal. See under Cob.
1. To make or mend coarsely; to patch; to botch; as, to cobble shoes. Shak. "A cobbled saddle." Thackeray. 2. To make clumsily. "Cobbled rhymes." Dryden. 3. To pave with cobblestones.
"coarsely": In a coarse manner; roughly; rudely; inelegantly; uncivilly; meanly.
"clumsily": In a clumsy manner; awkwardly; as, to walk clumsily.
"botch": 1. A swelling on the skin; a large ulcerous affection; a boil; an eruptive disease. [Obs. or Dial.] Botches and blains must all his flesh emboss. Milton. 2. A patch put on, or a part of a garment patched or mended in a clumsy manner. 3. Work done in a bungling manner; a clumsy performance; a piece of work, or a place in work, marred in the doing, or not properly finished; a bungle. To leave no rubs nor botches in the work. Shak.
1. To mark with, or as with, botches. Young Hylas, botched with stains. Garth. 2. To repair; to mend; esp. to patch in a clumsy or imperfect manner, as a garment; -- sometimes with up. Sick bodies . . . to be kept and botched up for a time. Robynson (More's Utopia). 3. To put together unsuitably or unskillfully; to express or perform in a bungling manner; to spoil or mar, as by unskillful work. For treason botched in rhyme will be thy bane. Dryden.
"cobblestone": A large pebble; a rounded stone not too large to be handled; a small boulder; -- used for paving streets and for other purposes.
"coble": A flat-floored fishing boat with a lug sail, and a drop rudder extending from two to four feet below the keel. It was originally used on the stormy coast of Yorkshire, England.
Difficulty: 16.16
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 4522
I
found
myself
thinking
of
her
apartment,
of
her
ground-floor
windows,
those
tall
French
doors
that
looked
out
on
the
cobbled
lane,
not
five
minutes
away
from
my
hotel.
Sen 26423
They
slept
in
shifts,
in
a
loft
space
they’d
built
above
the
cobbled
lane
and
between
the
walls
of
adjacent
buildings.
336
overstayed
prev
next
Definition (overstay)
Definition (overstay)
To stay beyond the time or the limits of; as, to overstay the appointed time. Bp. Hall.
Difficulty: 16.16
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 17434
Some
had
overstayed
their
visas,
and
that
lapse
had
to
be
expunged
from
the
book
before
it
could
be
used.
Sen 24099
According
to
the
entries
in
the
book,
I’d
overstayed
on
my
visa.
337
wove
prev
next
Definition
Definition
p. pr. & rare vb. n. of Weave.
Difficulty: 16.15
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 7562
Snaking
lines
of
sari-clad
women
carrying
dishes
of
gravel
on
their
heads
wove
through
all
the
workplaces,
from
man-made
dunes
of
small
stones
to
the
yawning
mouths
of
ceaselessly
revolving
cement-mixing
machines.
Sen 25583
On
the
street
below
us,
parading
tourists
wove
coloured
garlands
with
their
movements
through
and
around
the
tall,
stony
gallery
of
the
Gateway
Monument.
338
peeved
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.15
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 1576
‘That
is
one
of
mine,’
he
said,
apparently
peeved
that
I
hadn’t
drawn
attention
to
the
phrase.
Sen 16758
He
pouted
for
a
few
moments,
too
peeved
to
proceed,
but
then
raised
his
eyes
to
meet
mine
and
laughed
out
loud.
339
eaves
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. (Arch.) The edges or lower borders of the roof of a building, which overhang the walls, and cast off the water that falls on the roof. 2. Brow; ridge. [Obs.] "Eaves of the hill." Wyclif. 3. Eyelids or eyelashes. And closing eaves of wearied eyes. Tennyson. Eaves board (Arch.), an arris fillet, or a thick board with a feather edge, nailed across the rafters at the eaves of a building, to raise the lower course of slates a little, or to receive the lowest course of tiles; -- called also eaves catch and eaves lath. -- Eaves channel, Eaves gutter, Eaves trough. Same as Gutter, 1. -- Eaves molding (Arch.), a molding immediately below the eaves, acting as a cornice or part of a cornice. -- Eaves swallow (Zoöl.). (a) The cliff swallow; -- so called from its habit of building retort-shaped nests of mud under the eaves of buildings. See Cliff swallow, under Cliff. (b) The European swallow.
"lath": A thin, narrow strip of wood, nailed to the rafters, studs, or floor beams of a building, for the purpose of supporting the tiles, plastering, etc. A corrugated metallic strip or plate is sometimes used. Lath brick, a long, slender brick, used in making the floor on which malt is placed in the drying kiln. Lath nail a slender nail for fastening laths.
To cover or line with laths.
"overhang": 1. To impend or hang over. [R.] Beau. & Fl. 2. To hang over; to jut or project over. Pope.
To jut over. Milton.
1. In a general sense, that which just out or projects; a projection; also, the measure of the projection; as, the overhang is five feet. 2. Specifically: The projection of an upper part (as a roof, an upper story, or other part) of a building beyond the lower part; as, the overhang of a roof, of the eaves, etc. 3. (Naut.) The portion of the bow or stem of a vessel that projects over the water beyond the water line. 4. (Mach.) The projection of a part beyond another part that is directly below it, or beyond a part by which it is supported; as, the overhang of a shaft; i. e., its projection beyond its bearing.
"arris": The sharp edge or salient angle formed by two surfaces meeting each other, whether plane or curved; -- applied particularly to the edges in moldings, and to the raised edges which separate the flutings in a Doric column. P. Cyc. Arris fillet, a triangular piece of wood used to raise the slates of a roof against a chimney or wall, to throw off the rain. Gwilt. -- Arris gutter, a gutter of a V form fixed to the eaves of a building. Gwilt.
"cornice": Any horizontal, molded or otherwise decorated projection which crowns or finishes the part to which it is affixed; as, the cornice of an order, pedestal, door, window, or house. Gwilt. Cornice ring, the ring on a cannon next behind the muzzle ring.
Difficulty: 16.15
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 8367
There
was
an
alleyway
on
the
right-hand
side
of
the
building,
and
the
stonemasons
had
lavished
their
handiwork
on
the
quoin—every
second
stone
from
the
ground
to
below
the
eaves
was
faceted
like
a
jewel.
Sen 24639
I
was
leaning
out
backwards,
looking
up
under
blue
sky
at
the
crazed
servant
and
the
eaves
of
the
house
behind
his
head.
340
trawled
prev
next
Definition (trawl)
Definition (trawl)
To take fish, or other marine animals, with a trawl.
1. A fishing line, often extending a mile or more, having many short lines bearing hooks attached to it. It is used for catching cod, halibut, etc.; a boulter. [U. S. & Canada] 2. A large bag net attached to a beam with iron frames at its ends, and dragged at the bottom of the sea, -- used in fishing, and in gathering forms of marine life from the sea bottom.
"boulter": A long, stout fishing line to which many hooks are attached.
Difficulty: 16.14
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 17584
When
I
needed
foreigners
to
fill
bit
parts
in
the
Bollywood
films,
I
trawled
those
cafes
and
restaurants.
Sen 26089
Old
men
in
the
district
nodded
to
one
another,
and
compared
the
relative
calm
on
their
streets
with
the
chaos
that
tumbled
and
trawled
through
the
streets
of
other
districts.
341
pirouette
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. A whirling or turning on the toes in dancing. 2. (Man.) The whirling about of a horse.
To perform a pirouette; to whirl, like a dancer.
Difficulty: 16.13
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 1984
He
pushed
himself
forward
with
his
hands
until
he
reached
the
centre
of
the
deserted
road,
wheeling
to
a
stop
with
a
dramatic
pirouette.
Sen 1995
With
another
swift,
show-off’s
pirouette,
he
propelled
himself
forward
along
the
road,
gaining
speed
as
he
rolled
down
the
gentle
slope
to
the
Gateway
Monument.
342
sweltering
prev
next
Definition (swelter)
Definition (swelter)
1. To be overcome and faint with heat; to be ready to perish with heat. "Sweltered cattle." Coleridge. 2. To welter; to soak. [Obs.] Drayton.
1. To oppress with heat. Bentley. 2. To exude, like sweat. [R.] Shak.
"exude": To discharge through pores or incisions, as moisture or other liquid matter; to give out. Our forests exude turpentine in . . . abundance. Dr. T. Dwight.
To flow from a body through the pores, or by a natural discharge, as juice.
"welter": 1. To roll, as the body of an animal; to tumble about, especially in anything foul or defiling; to wallow. When we welter in pleasures and idleness, then we eat and drink with drunkards. Latimer. These wizards welter in wealth's waves. Spenser. He must not float upon his watery bier Unwept, and welter to the parching wind, Without the meed of some melodious tear. Milton. The priests at the altar . . . weltering in their blood. Landor. 2. To rise and fall, as waves; to tumble over, as billows. "The weltering waves." Milton. Waves that, hardly weltering, die away. Wordsworth. Through this blindly weltering sea. Trench.
To wither; to wilt. [R.] Weltered hearts and blighted . . . memories. I. Taylor.
Of, pertaining to, or designating, the most heavily weighted race in a meeting; as, a welter race; the welter stakes.
1. That in which any person or thing welters, or wallows; filth; mire; slough. The foul welter of our so-called religious or other controversies. Carlyle. 2. A rising or falling, as of waves; as, the welter of the billows; the welter of a tempest.
Difficulty: 16.12
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 6732
They
talked
quietly
while
the
sun
rose
to
its
zenith,
and
the
sweltering
humidity
of
the
day
clamped
a
moist
grip
on
us
all.
Sen 16316
My
city
was
a
steaming,
sweltering
hothouse
garden
of
dreaming.
343
footstep
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The mark or impression of the foot; a track; hence, visible sign of a course pursued; token; mark; as, the footsteps of divine wisdom. How on the faltering footsteps of decay Youth presses. Bryant. 2. An inclined plane under a hand printing press.
"faltering": Hesitating; trembling. "With faltering speech." Milton. -- n. Falter; halting; hesitation. -- Fal"ter*ing*ly, adv.
Difficulty: 16.12
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 21303
In
places
they
were
so
jagged
and
narrow
that
every
footstep
of
horse
or
man
was
brooded
over
with
careful,
trembling
consideration
before
it
was
made.
Sen 22052
We
heard
a
sound,
a
footstep,
behind
us.
344
burgeoning
prev
next
Definition (burgeon)
Definition (burgeon)
To bud. See Bourgeon.
"bourgeon": To sprout; to put forth buds; to shoot forth, as a branch. Gayly to bourgeon and broadly to grow. Sir W. Scott.
Difficulty: 16.12
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 25462
During
the
four
years
since
his
release,
Faisal
had
worked
as
Amir’s
principal
strong-arm
man
in
the
burgeoning
protection
racket.
Sen 26808
While
the
commitment
had
exhausted
their
savings
and
forced
them
to
borrow
from
Vikram’s
parents,
it
was
proof
of
their
faith
in
one
another
and
the
future
of
their
burgeoning
movie
business,
and
they
were
still
excited
with
the
change.
345
pullover
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.12
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 18028
She
was
dressed
in
a
pullover
and
jeans,
an
outfit
that
only
a
Bombay
native
could
wear
on
such
a
humid,
still,
and
hot
night.
Sen 18943
Lisa
wore
a
thin,
lava-red
pullover
beneath
a
black
silk
jacket,
and
a
skirt.
346
feints
prev
next
Definition (feint)
Definition (feint)
Feigned; counterfeit. [Obs.] Dressed up into any feint appearance of it. Locke.
1. That which is feigned; an assumed or false appearance; a pretense; a stratagem; a fetch. Courtley's letter is but a feint to get off. Spectator. 2. A mock blow or attack on one part when another part is intended to be struck; -- said of certain movements in fencing, boxing, war, etc.
To make a feint, or mock attack.
"stratagem": An artifice or trick in war for deceiving the enemy; hence, in general, artifice; deceptive device; secret plot; evil machination. Fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils. Shak. Those oft are stratagems which error seem, Nor is it Homer nods, but we that dream. Pope.
Difficulty: 16.11
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 4854
Wilful
gusts
of
wind
drove
the
arc
forward
in
probing
feints,
flaring
up
suddenly
on
one
side,
and
then
blazing
toward
us
from
a
different
direction.
Sen 10466
The
wild
howling
goaded
the
most
maddened
of
them
to
make
a
series
of
rushing
feints
from
several
directions.
347
feint
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Feigned; counterfeit. [Obs.] Dressed up into any feint appearance of it. Locke.
1. That which is feigned; an assumed or false appearance; a pretense; a stratagem; a fetch. Courtley's letter is but a feint to get off. Spectator. 2. A mock blow or attack on one part when another part is intended to be struck; -- said of certain movements in fencing, boxing, war, etc.
To make a feint, or mock attack.
"stratagem": An artifice or trick in war for deceiving the enemy; hence, in general, artifice; deceptive device; secret plot; evil machination. Fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils. Shak. Those oft are stratagems which error seem, Nor is it Homer nods, but we that dream. Pope.
Difficulty: 16.11
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 10486
The
large
black
dog
that
seemed
to
be
the
pack
leader
made
a
cunning
double
feint.
Sen 27744
The
feint
had
its
effect.
348
emphatic
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Uttered with emphasis; made prominent and impressive by a peculiar stress of voice; laying stress; deserving of stress or emphasis; forcible; impressive; strong; as, to remonstrate in am emphatic manner; an emphatic word; an emphatic tone; emphatic reasoning. 2. Striking the sense; attracting special attention; impressive; forcible. "Emphatical colors." Boyle. "Emphatical evils." Bp. Reynolds. Syn. -- Forcible; earnest; impressive; energetic; striking; positive; important; special; significant.
"remonstrate": To point out; to show clearly; to make plain or manifest; hence, to prove; to demonstrate. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor. I will remonstrate to you the third door. B. Jonson.
To present and urge reasons in opposition to an act, measure, or any course of proceedings; to expostulate; as, to remonstrate with a person regarding his habits; to remonstrate against proposed taxation. It is proper business of a divine to state cases of conscience, and to remonstrate against any growing corruptions in practice, and especially in principles. Waterland. Syn. -- Expostulate, Remonstrate. These words are commonly interchangeable, the principal difference being that expostulate is now used especially to signify remonstrance by a superior or by one in authority. A son remonstrates against the harshness of a father; a father expostulates with his son on his waywardness. Subjects remonstrate with their rulers; sovereigns expostulate with the parliament or the people.
"forcible": 1. Possessing force; characterized by force, efficiency, or energy; powerful; efficacious; impressive; influential. How forcible are right words! Job. vi. 2 Sweet smells are most forcible in dry substances, when broken. Bacon. But I have reasons strong and forcible. Shak. That punishment which hath been sometimes forcible to bridle sin. Hooker. He is at once elegant and sublime, forcible and ornamented. Lowth (Transl. ) 2. Violent; impetuous. Like mingled streams, more forcible when joined. Prior. 3. Using force against opposition or resistance; obtained by compulsion; effected by force; as, forcible entry or abduction. In embraces of King James . . . forcible and unjust. Swift. Forcible entry and detainer (Law), the entering upon and taking and withholding of land and tenements by actual force and violence, and with a strong hand, to the hindrance of the person having the right to enter. Syn. -- Violent; powerful; strong; energetic; mighty; potent; weighty; impressive; cogent; influential.
"emphatical": 1. Uttered with emphasis; made prominent and impressive by a peculiar stress of voice; laying stress; deserving of stress or emphasis; forcible; impressive; strong; as, to remonstrate in am emphatic manner; an emphatic word; an emphatic tone; emphatic reasoning. 2. Striking the sense; attracting special attention; impressive; forcible. "Emphatical colors." Boyle. "Emphatical evils." Bp. Reynolds. Syn. -- Forcible; earnest; impressive; energetic; striking; positive; important; special; significant.
Difficulty: 16.11
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 2489
All
of
them
stared
out
at
the
well-fed,
well-clothed
purchasers
and
agents,
following
every
change
of
expression
or
emphatic
gesture
of
their
bejewelled
hands.
Sen 11778
Competition
in
Colaba
for
the
tourist
dollar
was
cordial,
but
creatively
emphatic.
349
strode
prev
next
Definition
Definition
See Strude. [Obs.]
imp. of Stride.
"strude": A stock of breeding mares. [Written also strode.] [Obs.] Bailey.
Difficulty: 16.11
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 9887
He
turned
without
looking
at
the
boy,
and
strode
off
into
the
shadowed
arches.
Sen 16064
I
strode
on
through
familiar
streets,
and
told
myself
that
it
was
okay.
350
fastidiously
prev
next
Definition (fastidious)
Definition (fastidious)
Difficult to please; delicate to fault; suited with difficulty; squeamish; as, a fastidious mind or ear; a fastidious appetite. Proud youth ! fastidious of the lower world. Young. Syn. -- Squeamish; critical; overnice; difficult; punctilious. -- Fastidious, Squeamish. We call a person fastidious when his taste or feelings are offended by trifling defects or errors; we call him squeamish when he is excessively nice or critical on minor points, and also when he is overscrupulous as to questions of duty. "Whoever examines his own imperfections will cease to be fastidious; whoever restrains his caprice and scrupulosity will cease to be squeamish." Crabb. -- Fas*tid"i*ous*ly, adv. -- Fas*tid"i*ous*ness, n.
"overnice": Excessively nice; fastidious. Bp. Hall. -- O"ver*nice"ly, adv. -- O"ver*nice"ness, n.
"overscrupulous": Scrupulous to excess.
"scrupulosity": The quality or state of being scruppulous; doubt; doubtfulness respecting decision or action; caution or tenderness from the far of doing wrong or ofending; nice regard to exactness and propierty; precision. The first sacrilege is looked on with horror; but when they have made the breach, their scrupulosity soon retires. Dr. H. More. Careful, even to scrupulosity, . . . to keep their Sabbath. South.
"punctilious": Attentive to punctilio; very nice or exact in the forms of behavior, etiquette, or mutual intercourse; precise; exact in the smallest particulars. "A punctilious observance of divine laws." Rogers. "Very punctilious copies of any letters. The Nation. Punctilious in the simple and intelligible instances of common life. I. Taylor. -- Punc*til"ious*ly, adv. -- Punc*til"ious*ness, n.
Difficulty: 16.11
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 11869
His
moustache
was
fastidiously
snipped
and
trimmed
to
little
more
than
the
thickness
that
a
felt-tipped
pen
might’ve
made.
Sen 17358
Although
foreigners
had
to
show
their
passports
for
C-Form
entries
when
they
registered
at
hotels,
every
city
had
its
share
of
places
that
weren’t
fastidiously
precise
about
the
resemblance,
or
lack
of
it,
between
a
passport
and
its
bearer.
351
bewildering
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Causing bewilderment or great perplexity; as, bewildering difficulties. -- Be*wil"der*ing*ly, adv.
"bewilderment": 1. The state of being bewildered. 2. A bewildering tangle or confusion. He . . . soon lost all traces of it amid bewilderment of tree trunks and underbrush. Hawthorne.
"perplexity": The quality or state of being perplexed or puzzled; complication; intricacy; entanglement; distraction of mind through doubt or difficulty; embarrassment; bewilderment; doubt. By their own perplexities involved, They ravel more. Milton.
Difficulty: 16.09
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 684
What
I
found
bewildering,
all
around
me,
seemed
to
be
mundane
for
her.
Sen 2260
But
for
me
that
sudden,
savage,
bewildering
riot,
the
sight
of
that
taxi-driver
floating
away
on
a
rippling
wave
of
hands,
shoulders,
and
heads
was
a
turning
point.
352
loincloth
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.09
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 3526
The
dhoti
is
technically
described
as
a
loincloth,
but
the
term
robs
the
garment
of
its
serene
and
graceful
elegance.
Sen 15439
Tall,
lean,
and
tanned
to
a
dark,
earthbrown,
he
wore
a
loincloth
and
was
adorned
with
dozens
of
necklaces,
amulets,
and
decorative
bracelets.
353
itinerants
prev
next
Definition (itinerant)
Definition (itinerant)
Passing or traveling about a country; going or preaching on a circuit; wandering; not settled; as, an itinerant preacher; an itinerant peddler. The king's own courts were then itinerant, being kept in the king's palace, and removing with his household in those royal progresses which he continually made. Blackstone.
One who travels from place to place, particularly a preacher; one who is unsettled. Glad to turn itinerant, To stroll and teach from town to town. Hudibras.
Difficulty: 16.08
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 7158
With
only
days
to
go
before
the
big
rain,
many
itinerants
and
entertainers,
like
the
two
bear-handlers,
had
sought
shelter
in
slums
throughout
the
city.
Sen 7187
Along
with
those
itinerants,
many
of
the
people
who
lived
on
the
streets
near
our
slum
were
drawn
to
the
relative
security
of
our
huts.
354
criterion
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A standard of judging; any approved or established rule or test, by which facts, principles opinions, and conduct are tried in forming a correct judgment respecting them. Of the diseases of the mind there is no criterion. Donne. Inferences founded on such enduring criteria. Sir G. C. Lewis. Syn. -- Standard; measure; rule.
Difficulty: 16.07
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 14712
If
we
have
no
commonly
agreed
criterion
for
measuring
length,
we
will
never
agree
about
how
much
land
is
yours,
and
how
much
is
mine,
or
how
to
cut
lengths
of
wood
when
we
build
a
house.
Sen 14733
They
wanted
an
unchanging
criterion
against
which
to
measure
all
other
things.
355
devotional
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Pertaining to, suited to, or used in, devotion; as, a devotional posture; devotional exercises; a devotional frame of mind.
Difficulty: 16.06
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 4581
Conversations,
buzzing
softly,
blended
with
music
and
devotional
chanting,
coming
from
somewhere
inside
the
compound.
Sen 27371
Seeing
our
little
procession
as
an
opportunity
to
practise
their
music
on
the
march,
they
swung
in
behind
us
and
struck
up
a
rousing,
if
not
particularly
canorous,
version
of
a
popular
devotional
song.
356
squalling
prev
next
Definition (squall)
Definition (squall)
A sudden violent gust of wind often attended with rain or snow. The gray skirts of a lifting squall. Tennyson. Black squall, a squall attended with dark, heavy clouds. -- Thick squall, a black squall accompanied by rain, hail, sleet, or snow. Totten. -- White squall, a squall which comes unexpectedly, without being marked in its approach by the clouds. Totten.
To cry out; to scream or cry violently, as a woman frightened, or a child in anger or distress; as, the infant squalled.
A loud scream; a harsh cry. There oft are heard the notes of infant woe, -The short, thick sob, loud scream, and shriller squall. Pope.
Difficulty: 16.06
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 4898
When
one
squalling
downdraft
of
wind
swept
black
and
brown
smoke
into
our
clearing,
we
lost
sight
of
Qasim
Ali
Hussein
completely.
Sen 20492
Vexed
and
gloomy
with
squalling
emotions
I
entered
the
Faloodah
House
in
the
Bohri
bazaar,
and
ordered
one
of
the
sweet,
technicoloured
drinks.
357
beckoned
prev
next
Definition (beckon)
Definition (beckon)
To make a significant sign to; hence, to summon, as by a motion of the hand. His distant friends, he beckons near. Dryden. It beckons you to go away with it. Shak.
A sign made without words; a beck. "At the first beckon." Bolingbroke. BECK'S SCALE Beck's scale. A hydrometer scale on which the zero point corresponds to sp. gr. 1.00, and the 30º-point to sp. gr. 0.85. From these points the scale is extended both ways, all the degrees being of equal length.
"hydrometer": 1. (Physics) An instrument for determining the specific gravities of liquids, and thence the strength spirituous liquors, saline solutions, etc. Note: It is usually made of glass with a graduated stem, and indicates the specific gravity of a liquid by the depth to which it sinks in it, the zero of the scale marking the depth to which it sinks in pure water. Extra weights are sometimes used to adapt the scale to liquids of different densities. 2. An instrument, variously constructed, used for measuring the velocity or discharge of water, as in rivers, from reservoirs, etc., and called by various specific names according to its construction or use, as tachometer, rheometer, hydrometer, pendulum, etc.; a current gauge.
Difficulty: 16.05
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 860
He
finished
talking,
at
last,
and
beckoned
me
forward.
Sen 27333
At
last,
Rakeshbaba
pulled
aside
the
reed
curtains
and
beckoned
us
to
enter
his
workshop.
358
unrecognisable
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.05
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 3192
The
word
he
was
repeating
with
such
distress
was
unrecognisable
to
me
because
I
wasn’t
used
to
being
addressed
by
it:
Sir.
Sen 25974
Everyone
said
you
were
shot
so
many
times
that
your
face
was
unrecognisable.’
359
perplexing
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Embarrassing; puzzling; troublesome. "Perplexing thoughts." Milton.
Difficulty: 16.04
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 3267
When
I
understood
that,
a
great
many
of
the
characteristically
perplexing
aspects
of
public
life
became
comprehensible:
from
the
acceptance
of
sprawling
slums
by
city
authorities,
to
the
freedom
that
cows
had
to
roam
at
random
in
the
midst
of
traffic;
from
the
toleration
of
beggars
on
the
streets,
to
the
concatenate
complexity
of
the
bureaucracies;
and
from
the
gorgeous,
unashamed
escapism
of
Bollywood
movies,
to
the
accommodation
of
hundreds
of
thousands
of
refugees
from
Tibet,
Iran,
Afghanistan,
Africa,
and
Bangladesh,
in
a
country
that
was
already
too
crowded
with
sorrows
and
needs
of
its
own.
Sen 8602
He
stared
that
perplexing
malice
into
my
eyes
once
more,
and
then
closed
the
door.
360
vivacious
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Having vigorous powers of life; tenacious of life; long-lived. [Obs.] Hitherto the English bishops have been vivacious almost to wonder. . . . But five died for the first twenty years of her [Queen Elizabeth's] reign. Fuller. The faith of Christianity is far more vivacious than any mere ravishment of the imagination can ever be. I. Taylor. 2. Sprightly in temper or conduct; lively; merry; as, a vivacious poet. "Vivacious nonsense." V. Knox. 3. (Bot.) Living through the winter, or from year to year; perennial. [R.] Syn. -- Sprightly; active; animated; sportive; gay; merry; jocund; light- hearted. -- Vi*va"cious*ly, adv. -- Vi*va"cious*ness, n.
"ravishment": 1. The act of carrying away by force or against consent; abduction; as, the ravishment of children from their parents, or a ward from his guardian, or of a wife from her husband. Blackstone. 2. The state of being ravished; rapture; transport of delight; ecstasy. Spencer. In whose sight all things joy, with ravishment Attracted by thy beauty still to gaze. Milton. 3. The act of ravishing a woman; rape.
"sprightly": Sprightlike, or spiritlike; lively; brisk; animated; vigorous; airy; gay; as, a sprightly youth; a sprightly air; a sprightly dance. "Sprightly wit and love inspires." Dryden. The sprightly Sylvia trips along the green. Pope.
"sportive": Tending to, engaged in, or provocate of, sport; gay; froliscome; playful; merry. Is it I That drive thee from the sportive court Shak. -- Sport"ive*ly, adv. -- Sport"ive*ness, n.
"jocund": Merry; cheerful; gay; airy; lively; sportive. Night's candles are burnt out, and jocund day Stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops. Shak. Rural sports and jocund strains. Prior. -- Joc"und*ly, adv. -- Joc"und*ness, n.
Merrily; cheerfully. Gray.
Difficulty: 16.04
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 4011
The
grandparents
were
plump,
but
not
fat,
the
parents
were
bright-eyed
and
fit,
and
the
children
were
straight-limbed,
clever,
and
vivacious.
Sen 18390
On
their
first
visit
they
found
Lisa
Carter,
Kalpana,
Kavita,
and
Lettie,
with
three
German
girls
who’d
worked
for
Lisa
as
extras
on
a
film
—seven
beautiful,
intelligent,
vivacious
young
women.
361
spluttering
prev
next
Definition (splutter)
Definition (splutter)
To speak hastily and confusedly; to sputter. [Colloq.] Carleton.
A confused noise, as of hasty speaking. [Colloq.]
"confusedly": In a confused manner.
"sputter": 1. To spit, or to emit saliva from the mouth in small, scattered portions, as in rapid speaking. 2. To utter words hastily and indistinctly; to speak so rapidly as to emit saliva. They could neither of them speak their rage, and so fell a sputtering at one another, like two roasting apples. Congreve. 3. To throw out anything, as little jets of steam, with a noise like that made by one sputtering. Like the green wood . . . sputtering in the flame. Dryden.
To spit out hastily by quick, successive efforts, with a spluttering sound; to utter hastily and confusedly, without control over the organs of speech. In the midst of caresses, and without the last pretend incitement, to sputter out the basest accusations. Swift.
Moist matter thrown out in small detached particles; also, confused and hasty speech.
Difficulty: 16.04
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 13052
I
swallowed
quickly,
gulping
and
spluttering.
Sen 24792
Spluttering
and
coughing
in
the
cloud
of
charcoal
dust
and
floating
fibres,
I
wriggled
against
my
fallen
friend
to
sit
upright.
362
encircling
prev
next
Definition (encircle)
Definition (encircle)
To form a circle about; to inclose within a circle or ring; to surround; as, to encircle one in the arms; the army encircled the city. Her brows encircled with his serpent rod. Parnell. Syn. -- To encompass; surround; environ; inclose.
"encompass": To circumscribe or go round so as to surround closely; to encircle; to inclose; to environ; as, a ring encompasses the finger; an army encompasses a city; a voyage encompassing the world. Shak. A question may be encompassed with difficulty. C. J. Smith. The love of all thy sons encompass thee. Tennyson. Syn. -- To encircle; inclose; surround; include; environ; invest; hem in; shut up.
"environ": To surround; to encompass; to encircle; to hem in; to be round about; to involve or envelop. Dwelling in a pleasant glade, With mountains round about environed. Spenser. Environed he was with many foes. Shak. Environ me with darkness whilst I write. Donne.
About; around. [Obs.] Lord Godfrey's eye three times environ goes. Fairfax.
"inclose": 1. To surround; to shut in; to confine on all sides; to include; to shut up; to encompass; as, to inclose a fort or an army with troops; to inclose a town with walls. How many evils have inclosed me round! Milton. 2. To put within a case, envelope, or the like; to fold (a thing) within another or into the same parcel; as, to inclose a letter or a bank note. The inclosed copies of the treaty. Sir W. Temple. 3. To separate from common grounds by a fence; as, to inclose lands. Blackstone. 4. To put into harness; to harness. [Obs.] They went to coach and their horse inclose. Chapman.
Difficulty: 16.03
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 3787
Within
the
encircling
lungi,
I
removed
and
discarded
my
wet
shorts
and
slipped
on
a
dry
pair
of
shorts
underneath.
Sen 11785
Exiles
from
Afghanistan
sold
huge,
ornamental
silver
rings
engraved
with
the
Pashto
script
and
encircling
amethysts
the
size
of
pigeons’
eggs.
363
tradesmen
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.03
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 7464
The
tradesmen,
artisans,
and
labourers
who
built
the
towers
were
housed
in
hutments,
tiny
slum-dwellings,
on
land
adjacent
to
the
site.
Sen 7466
Many
of
the
tradesmen
were
itinerant
workers
who
followed
where
their
skills
were
needed,
and
whose
real
homes
were
hundreds
of
kilometres
away
in
other
states.
364
gristle
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Cartilage. See Cartilage. Bacon.
Difficulty: 16.00
Appears 2 times in book:
Sen 12768
One
of
the
overseers
then
climbed
onto
the
block
and
jumped
off
onto
Raheem’s
arm,
with
both
feet,
snapping
the
arm
backwards
in
a
sickening
crunch
of
gristle
and
bone.
Sen 24677
The
knife
went
in
through
the
front
and
deep
into
the
shoulder,
crunching
an
edge
of
bone
and
gristle
on
the
way.
365
claustral
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Cloistral. Ayliffe
"cloistral": Of, pertaining to, or confined in, a cloister; recluse. [Written also cloisteral.] Best become a cloistral exercise. Daniel.
Difficulty: 21.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2307
The
blue
flames
of
his
kerosene
stove,
eerie
and
claustral,
provided
the
only
light.
366
synonyme
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Same as Synonym.
"synonym": One of two or more words (commonly words of the same language) which are equivalents of each other; one of two or more words which have very nearly the same signification, and therefore may often be used interchangeably. See under Synonymous. [Written also synonyme.] All languages tend to clear themselves of synonyms as intellectual culture advances, the superfluous words being taken up and appropriated by new shades and combinations of thought evolved in the progress of society. De Quincey. His name has thus become, throughout all civilized countries, a synonym for probity and philanthropy. Macaulay. In popular literary acceptation, and as employed in special dictionaries of such words, synonyms are words sufficiently alike in general signification to be liable to be confounded, but yet so different in special definition as to require to be distinguished. G. P. Marsh.
Difficulty: 21.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2566
The
very
name
of
Borsalino
became
a
synonyme
for
gangsters.
367
enswathed
prev
next
Definition (enswathe)
Definition (enswathe)
To swathe; to envelop, as in swaddling clothes. Shak.
"swathe": To bind with a swathe, band, bandage, or rollers. Their children are never swathed or bound about with any thing when they are first born. Abp. Abbot.
A bandage; a band; a swath. Wrapped me in above an hundred yards of swathe. Addison. Milk and a swathe, at first, his whole demand. Young. The solemn glory of the afternoon, with its long swathes of light between the far off rows of limes. G. Eliot.
"swaddling": from Swaddle, v. Swaddling band, Swaddling cloth, or Swaddling clout, a band or cloth wrapped round an infant, especially round a newborn infant. Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke ii. 12.
"envelop": To put a covering about; to wrap up or in; to inclose within a case, wrapper, integument or the like; to surround entirely; as, to envelop goods or a letter; the fog envelops a ship. Nocturnal shades this world envelop. J. Philips.
1. That which envelops, wraps up, encases, or surrounds; a wrapper; an inclosing cover; esp., the cover or wrapper of a document, as of a letter. 2. (Astron.) The nebulous covering of the head or nucleus of a comet; -- called also coma. 3. (Fort.) A work of earth, in the form of a single parapet or of a small rampart. It is sometimes raised in the ditch and sometimes beyond it. Wilhelm. 4. (Geom.) A curve or surface which is tangent to each member of a system of curves or surfaces, the form and position of the members of the system being allowed to vary according to some continuous law. Thus, any curve is the envelope of its tangents. push the envelope. It is used to refer to the maximum performance available at the current state of the technology, and therefore refers to a class of machines in general, not a specific machine. push the envelope Increase the capability of some type of machine or system; -- usu. by technological development.
Difficulty: 21.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3838
Her
life
enfolded
mine
within
its
triumph
and
sorrow,
just
as
easily
as
her
red
shawl
sometimes
enswathed
a
crying
child
that
passed
the
doorway
of
her
house.
368
inevasible
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Incapable of being
Difficulty: 21.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4049
The
advance
was
so
rapid
that
the
inevasible
creep
of
the
swollen,
landconsuming
river
moved
toward
the
village
at
a
slow
walking
pace.
369
concrescence
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Coalescence of particles; growth; increase by the addition of particles. [R.] Sir W. Raleigh.
"coalescence": The act or state of growing together, as similar parts; the act of uniting by natural affinity or attraction; the state of being united; union; concretion.
Difficulty: 21.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4072
The
river,
only
a
few
hundred
metres
away,
was
a
deluge:
a
vast
muddy
concrescence
that
tore
through
the
valley
in
heaving
waves
and
boiling
eddies.
370
chrismal
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Of or pertaining to or used in chrism.
"chrism": 1. Olive oil mixed with balm and spices, consecrated by the bishop on Maundy Thursday, and used in the administration of baptism, confirmation, ordination, etc. 2. The same as Chrisom.
Difficulty: 21.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4151
Whatever
the
case,
whether
they
discovered
that
peace
or
created
it,
the
truth
is
that
the
man
I
am
was
born
in
those
moments,
as
I
stood
near
the
flood
sticks
with
my
face
lifted
to
the
chrismal
rain.
371
plangency
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The quality or state of being plangent; a beating sound. [R.]
"plangent": Beating; dashing, as a wave. [R.] "The plangent wave." H. Taylor.
Difficulty: 21.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8338
Seconds
later,
the
song
We
Are
Family,
by
Sister
Sledge,
thumped
out
of
the
speakers
behind
our
heads
with
numbing
plangency
Karla
whooped
for
joy.
372
splendent
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Shining; glossy; beaming with light; lustrous; as, splendent planets; splendent metals. See the Note under 3d Luster, 4. 2. Very conspicuous; illustrious. "Great and splendent fortunes." Sir H. Wotton.
"luster": One who lusts.
A period of five years; a lustrum. Both of us have closed the tenth luster. Bolingbroke.
1. Brilliancy; splendor; brightness; glitter. The right mark and very true luster of the diamond. Sir T. More. The scorching sun was mounted high, In all its luster, to the noonday sky. Addison. Note: There is a tendency to limit the use of luster, in this sense, to the brightness of things which do not shine with their own light, or at least do not blaze or glow with heat. One speaks of the luster of a diamond, or of silk, or even of the stars, but not often now of the luster of the sun, a coal of fire, or the like. 2. Renown; splendor; distinction; glory. His ancestors continued about four hundred years, rather without obscurity than with any great luster. Sir H. Wotton. 3. A candlestick, chandelier, girandole, or the like, generally of an ornamental character. Pope. 4. (Min.) The appearance of the surface of a mineral as affected by, or dependent upon, peculiarities of its reflecting qualities. Note: The principal kinds of luster recognized are: metallic, adamantine, vitreous, resinous, greasy, pearly, and silky. With respect to intensity, luster is characterized as splendent, shining, glistening, glimmering, and dull. 5. A substance which imparts luster to a surface, as plumbago and some of the glazes. 6. A fabric of wool and cotton with a lustrous surface, -- used for women's dresses. Luster ware, earthenware decorated by applying to the glazing metallic oxides, which acquire brilliancy in the process of baking.
To make lustrous. [R. & Poetic] Flooded and lustered with her loosened gold. Lowell.
"lustrous": Bright; shining; luminous. " Good sparks and lustrous." Shak. -- Lus"trous*ly, adv.
Difficulty: 21.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11253
Then,
horizon-wide,
the
rain
clouds
regrouped,
and
slowly
sealed
the
splendent
circle
of
sky,
herding
one
against
another
until
heaven
matched
the
rolling
sea
with
dark,
watery
waves
of
cloud.
373
revulsive
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Causing, or tending to, revulsion.
That which causes revulsion; specifically (Med.), a revulsive remedy or agent.
"revulsion": 1. A strong pulling or drawing back; withdrawal. "Revulsions and pullbacks." SSir T. Brovne. 2. A sudden reaction; a sudden and complete change; -- applied to the feelings. A sudden and violent revulsion of feeling, both in the Parliament and the country, followed. Macaulay. 3. (Med.) The act of turning or diverting any disease from one part of the body to another. It resembles derivation, but is usually applied to a more active form of counter irritation.
Difficulty: 21.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12795
Squatting
in
the
queue,
I
noticed
with
a
revulsive
flinch
that
tiny
insects,
lice,
were
crawling
in
the
hair
of
the
man
in
front
of
me.
374
rictal
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Of or pertaining to the rictus; as, rictal bristles.
"rictus": The gape of the mouth, as of birds; -- often resricted to the corners of the mouth.
Difficulty: 21.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18009
His
dead
eyes
were
half
open,
and
his
lips
were
pulled
back
slightly
from
his
teeth
in
a
rictal
smile.
375
enravishing
prev
next
Definition (enravish)
Definition (enravish)
To transport with delight; to enrapture; to fascinate. Spenser.
"enrapture": To transport with pleasure; to delight beyond measure; to enravish. Shenstone.
Difficulty: 21.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18691
Then
suddenly
they
stamped
their
feet
three
times,
and
the
musicians
struck
up
a
wild,
enravishing
rendition
of
that
month’s
most
popular
movie
song.
376
susurrus
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The act of whispering; a whisper; a murmur. De Quincey. The soft susurrus and sighs of the branches. Longfellow.
Difficulty: 21.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18801
I
sipped
at
a
drink
and
smoked
cigarettes
in
a
silence
so
profound
that
I
could
hear
the
susurrus
of
the
blindfold’s
soft
fabric
rustle
and
slip
between
my
fingers.
377
melliferous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Producing honey.
Difficulty: 21.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20493
The
faloodha
was
an
indecently
sweet
concoction
of
white
noodles,
milk,
rose
flavours,
and
other
melliferous
syrups.
378
rupia
prev
next
Definition
Definition
An eruption upon the skin, consisting of vesicles with inflamed base and filled with serous, purulent, or bloody fluid, which dries up, forming a blackish crust.
"blackish": Somewhat black.
"purulent": Consisting of pus, or matter; partaking of the nature of pus; attended with suppuration; as, purulent inflammation.
"serous": (a) Thin; watery; like serum; as the serous fluids. (b) Of or pertaining to serum; as, the serous glands, membranes, layers. See Serum. Serous membrane. (Anat.) See under Membrane.
Difficulty: 21.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24148
Sirf
rupia.’
Not
dollars.
379
snowslip
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A large mass or avalanche of snow which slips down the side of a mountain, etc.
Difficulty: 21.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 25385
Somehow,
Salman’s
casual
remark
that
we
all
blamed
ourselves
for
not
being
with
Khader
when
he
died
had
shaken
my
frozen
sorrowing
free,
and
the
slow,
inexorable
snowslip
of
its
heartache
began,
right
there
and
then.
380
heartgrief
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Heartache; sorrow. Milton.
Difficulty: 21.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 25404
The
heartgrief
had
already
begun.
381
eyewateringly
prev
next
Definition (eyewater)
Definition (eyewater)
A wash or lotion for application to the eyes.
Difficulty: 21.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26262
The
smell
of
man-sweat,
both
fresh
and
fouled
into
the
stitching
of
leather
gloves
and
belts
and
turnbuckles,
was
so
eyewateringly
rancid
that
the
gym
was
the
only
building
in
the
city
block
that
rats
and
cockroaches
spurned.
382
canorous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Melodious; musical. "Birds that are most canorous." Sir T. Browne. A long, lound, and canorous peal of laughter. De Quincey.
"peal": A small salmon; a grilse; a sewin. [Prov. Eng.]
To appeal. [Obs.] Spencer.
1. A loud sound, or a succession of loud sounds, as of bells, thunder, cannon, shouts, of a multitude, etc. "A fair peal of artillery." Hayward. Whether those peals of praise be his or no. Shak. And a deep thunder, peal on peal, afar. Byron. 2. A set of bells tuned to each other according to the diatonic scale; also, the changes rung on a set of bells. To ring a peal. See under Ring.
1. To utter or give out loud sounds. There let the pealing organ blow. Milton. 2. To resound; to echo. And the whole air pealed With the cheers of our men. Longfellow.
1. To utter or give forth loudly; to cause to give out loud sounds; to noise abroad. The warrior's name, Though pealed and chimed on all the tongues of fame. J. Barlow. 2. To assail with noise or loud sounds. Nor was his ear less pealed. Milton. 3. To pour out. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
Difficulty: 21.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27371
Seeing
our
little
procession
as
an
opportunity
to
practise
their
music
on
the
march,
they
swung
in
behind
us
and
struck
up
a
rousing,
if
not
particularly
canorous,
version
of
a
popular
devotional
song.
383
dynamique
prev
next
Difficulty: 20.69
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1675
But
how
many
of
these
people
have
real
power,
real
destiny,
real
dynamique
for
their
place,
and
their
time,
and
the
lives
of
thousands
of
people?
384
phul
prev
next
Difficulty: 20.69
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2034
What
is
phul
gobhi
and
bhindi?’
385
nubbled
prev
next
Definition (nubble)
Definition (nubble)
To beat or bruise with the fist. [Obs.] Ainsworth.
Difficulty: 20.69
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2390
His
hair
was
very
short,
exposing
ears
as
large
and
nubbled
as
a
boxer’s
practice
mitts.
386
chudd
prev
next
Difficulty: 20.69
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2736
‘You’re
such
a
chudd,
Vikkie,’
she
said,
taking
a
place
opposite
him
and
on
my
right
side.
387
concatenate
prev
next
Definition
Definition
To link together; to unite in a series or chain, as things depending on one another. This all things friendly will concatenate. Dr. H. More
Difficulty: 20.69
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3267
When
I
understood
that,
a
great
many
of
the
characteristically
perplexing
aspects
of
public
life
became
comprehensible:
from
the
acceptance
of
sprawling
slums
by
city
authorities,
to
the
freedom
that
cows
had
to
roam
at
random
in
the
midst
of
traffic;
from
the
toleration
of
beggars
on
the
streets,
to
the
concatenate
complexity
of
the
bureaucracies;
and
from
the
gorgeous,
unashamed
escapism
of
Bollywood
movies,
to
the
accommodation
of
hundreds
of
thousands
of
refugees
from
Tibet,
Iran,
Afghanistan,
Africa,
and
Bangladesh,
in
a
country
that
was
already
too
crowded
with
sorrows
and
needs
of
its
own.
388
hoshiyaar
prev
next
Difficulty: 20.69
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6377
‘Bahut
hoshiyaar,’
he
replied.
389
pleeeeeeese
prev
next
Difficulty: 20.69
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7072
‘Oh,
pleeeeeeese,’
Prabaker
wheedled.
390
munta
prev
next
Difficulty: 20.69
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8330
‘Ha,
munta!’
he
said,
laughing
and
accepting
it
happily.
391
aphoristic
prev
next
Definition
Definition
In the form of, or of the nature of, an aphorism; in the form of short, unconnected sentences; as, an aphoristic style. The method of the book is aphoristic. De Quincey.
"aphorism": A comprehensive maxim or principle expressed in a few words; a sharply defined sentence relating to abstract truth rather than to practical matters. The first aphorism of Hippocrates is, "Life is short, and the art is long." Fleming. Syn. -- Axiom; maxim; adage; proverb; apothegm; saying; saw; truism; dictum. See Axiom.
Difficulty: 20.69
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 10308
I
was
surprised
and
perhaps
a
little
shocked
to
see
that
she,
too,
had
remembered
the
phrase,
and
that
she’d
copied
it
down
there—even
improving
it,
with
more
aphoristic
roundness
than
the
impromptu
remark
had
possessed.
392
rappled
prev
next
Difficulty: 20.69
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11615
A
sprinkling
shower
of
rain
rappled
on
the
canvas
awning
overhead.
393
acquantainces
prev
next
Difficulty: 20.69
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15281
After
a
bout
of
bartering
that
invoked
an
august
assembly
of
deities
from
at
least
three
religions,
and
incorporated
spirited,
carnal
references
to
the
sisters
of
our
respective
friends
and
acquantainces,
a
dealer
agreed
to
hire
out
an
Enfield
Bullet
motorcycle
for
a
reasonable
rental.
394
misappropriators
prev
next
Definition (appropriator)
Definition (appropriator)
1. One who appropriates. 2. (Law) A spiritual corporation possessed of an appropriated benefice; also, an impropriator.
"benefice": 1. A favor or benefit. [Obs.] Baxter. 2. (Feudal Law) An estate in lands; a fief. Note: Such an estate was granted at first for life only, and held on the mere good pleasure of the donor; but afterward, becoming hereditary, it received the appellation of fief, and the term benefice became appropriated to church livings. 3. An ecclesiastical living and church preferment, as in the Church of England; a church endowed with a revenue for the maintenance of divine service. See Advowson. Note: All church preferments are called benefices, except bishoprics, which are called dignities. But, ordinarily, the term dignity is applied to bishoprics, deaneries, archdeaconries, and prebendaryships; benefice to parsonages, vicarages, and donatives.
To endow with a benefice. Note: [Commonly in the past participle.]
"impropriator": One who impropriates; specifically, a layman in possession of church property.
Difficulty: 20.69
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17418
Abdul
Ghani,
propelled
by
the
purest
amoral
spirit
of
market
forces,
serviced
the
needs
of
generals,
mercenaries,
misappropriators
of
public
funds,
and
murderous
interrogators
without
a
hint
of
censure
or
dismay.
395
illai
prev
next
Difficulty: 20.69
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21443
Inalillahey
wa
ina
illai
hi
rajiaon
396
aggrandised
prev
next
Difficulty: 20.69
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 25018
And
he
was
generous:
it
was
almost
impossible
to
pay
a
bill
in
his
company—not,
as
some
thought,
because
he
aggrandised
himself
with
the
gesture,
but
rather
because
it
was
his
instinct
to
give
and
to
share.
397
flourmill
prev
next
Difficulty: 20.69
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26475
I
led
the
way
back
through
the
converted
lane
and
into
a
chai
shop
where
workers
from
a
local
flourmill
and
bakery
were
resting
between
shifts.
398
moorage
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A place for mooring.
"mooring": 1. The act of confining a ship to a particular place, by means of anchors or fastenings. 2. That which serves to confine a ship to a place, as anchors, cables, bridles, etc. 3. pl. The place or condition of a ship thus confined. And the tossed bark in moorings swings. Moore. Mooring block (Naut.), a heavy block of cast iron sometimes used as an anchor for mooring vessels.
Difficulty: 20.28
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1716
On
our
left
was
a
vast
segment
of
the
world’s
largest
harbour,
the
dark
water
starred
by
the
moorage
lights
of
a
hundred
ships
at
anchor.
399
chehra
prev
next
Difficulty: 20.28
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2045
‘Tell
me,
what
am
I
calling
chehra,
munh,
and
dil?’
400
dishevelment
prev
next
Difficulty: 20.28
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2166
That
dishevelment
combined
with
his
theatrical
gestures
and
persistent
shouting
to
present
a
spectacle
that
seemed
to
be
more
enthralling,
for
the
crowd
of
onlookers,
than
the
wreckage
of
the
cars.
401
firstaid
prev
next
Difficulty: 20.28
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 5039
I
was
sure
those
threads—the
training,
the
nickname,
the
firstaid
kit,
the
work
as
unofficial
doctor
in
the
slum—were
all
connected
in
some
way
that
was
more
than
accident
or
coincidence.
402
rabdi
prev
next
Difficulty: 20.28
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7699
Several
young
women
came
to
clear
the
used
banana
leaves
away,
and
lay
out
small
dishes
of
sweet
rabdi
dessert
for
us.
403
bhari
prev
next
Difficulty: 20.28
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9023
The—how
do
you
say
it,
bhari
vazan?’
404
articulacy
prev
next
Difficulty: 20.28
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9055
Each
man
had
his
own
opinion
and
level
of
articulacy
yet
I
had
the
clear
impression
that
Khaderbhai’s
contribution
was
usually
the
last
word.
405
attoseconds
prev
next
Difficulty: 20.28
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 14592
And
the
first
moments
after
that
great
expansion,
from
the
first
fractions
of
attoseconds,
the
universe
was
like
a
rich
soup
made
out
of
simple
bits
of
things.
406
arrestwarrants
prev
next
Difficulty: 20.28
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17352
Some
of
the
passports
were
flagged
because
international
arrestwarrants
had
been
issued
for
the
original
owners.
407
prankish
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Full of pranks; frolicsome.
"frolicsome": Full of gayety and mirth; given to pranks; sportive. Old England, who takes a frolicsome brain fever once every two or three years, for the benefit of her doctors. Sir W. Scott. -- Frol"ic*some*ly, adv. -- Frol"ic*some*ness, n.
Difficulty: 20.28
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20420
The
irony
was
that
we
were,
in
fact,
similarly
dour
and
serious
men,
but
his
grim
severity
was
so
stark
that
it
roused
me
from
my
own
solemnity,
and
provoked
a
childish,
prankish
desire
to
mock
him.
408
resemblant
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Having or exhibiting resemblance; resembling. [R.] Gower.
Difficulty: 20.28
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20637
Side
streets
and
lateral
avenues
revealed
that
the
duplication
of
those
crude,
resemblant
structures
extended
all
the
way
to
the
horizon
of
sight,
on
either
side
of
the
main
road.
409
kwatta
prev
next
Difficulty: 20.28
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20862
The
name
of
the
city,
Quetta,
was
derived
from
the
Pashto
word
kwatta,
meaning
fort.
410
sonancies
prev
next
Definition (sonance)
Definition (sonance)
1. A sound; a tune; as, to sound the tucket sonance. [Obs.] Shak. 2. The quality or state of being sonant.
"tucket": A slight flourish on a trumpet; a fanfare. [Obs.] Tucket sonance, the sound of the tucket. [Obs.] Let the trumpets sound The tucket sonance and the note to mount. Shak.
A steak; a collop. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.
"sonant": 1. Of or pertaining to sound; sounding. 2. (Phonetics) Uttered, as an element of speech, with tone or proper vocal sound, as distinguished from mere breath sound; intonated; voiced; tonic; the opposite of nonvocal, or surd; -- sid of the vowels, semivowels, liquids, and nasals, and particularly of the consonants b, d, g hard, v, etc., as compared with their cognates p, t, k, f, etc., which are called nonvocal, surd, or aspirate. -- n. A sonant letter.
Difficulty: 20.28
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 25876
I
heard
his
voice
passing
from
his
chest
to
mine
like
ocean
sonancies,
sounding
and
resounding,
wave
on
wave
through
shores
of
tight-wet
sand
at
night.
411
vicinal
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Near; vicine. T. Warton. Vicinal planes (Min.), subordinate planes on a crystal, which are very near to the fundamental planes in angles, and sometimes take their place. They have in general very complex symbols.
"vicine": Near; neighboring; vicinal. [R.] Glanvill.
An alkaloid ex tracted from the seeds of the vetch (Vicia sativa) as a white crystalline substance.
Difficulty: 20.28
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27183
They
couldn’t
understand
that
every
time
I
entered
the
slum
I
felt
the
urge
to
let
go
and
surrender
to
a
simpler,
poorer
life
that
was
yet
richer
in
respect,
and
love,
and
a
vicinal
connectedness
to
the
surrounding
sea
of
human
hearts.
412
suffusion
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The act or process of suffusing, or state of being suffused; an overspreading. To those that have the jaundice, or like suffusion of eyes, objects appear of that color. Ray. 2. That with which a thing is suffused. 3. (Zoöl.) A blending of one color into another; the spreading of one color over another, as on the feathers of birds.
Difficulty: 19.99
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 918
Within
seconds,
a
suffusion
of
aromatic
sweetnesses
possessed
my
mouth.
413
verruckt
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.99
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1229
Total
verruckt,
I
tell
you.
414
erwollte
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.99
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1233
Naja,
ten
minutes
in
the
room
and
erwollte
auf
der
Klamotten
kommen.
415
mosambi
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.99
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1368
Rich
fruits
used
in
desserts
and
juices—paw
paw,
papaya,
custard
apples,
mosambi,
grapes,
watermelon,
banana,
santra,
and,
in
the
season,
four
varieties
of
mango—were
displayed
across
the
whole
surface
of
one
wall
in
gorgeous
abundance.
416
tumid
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Swelled, enlarged, or distended; as, a tumid leg; tumid flesh. 2. Rising above the level; protuberant. So high as heaved the tumid hills. Milton. 3. Swelling in sound or sense; pompous; puffy; inflated; bombastic; falsely sublime; turgid; as, a tumid expression; a tumid style. -- Tu"mid*ly, adv. -- Tu"mid*ness, n.
"turgid": 1. Distended beyond the natural state by some internal agent or expansive force; swelled; swollen; bloated; inflated; tumid; -- especially applied to an enlarged part of the body; as, a turgid limb; turgid fruit. A bladder . . . held near the fire grew turgid. Boyle. 2. Swelling in style or language; vainly ostentatious; bombastic; pompous; as, a turgid style of speaking. -- Tur"gid*ly, adv. -- Tur"gid*ness, n.
"bombastic": Characterized by bombast; highsounding; inflated. -- Bom*bas"tic*al*ly, adv. A theatrical, bombastic, windy phraseology. Burke. Syn. -- Turgid; tumid; pompous; grandiloquent.
"protuberant": Prominent, or excessively prominent; bulging beyond the surrounding or adjacent surface; swelling; as, a protuberant joint; a protuberant eye. -- Pro*tu"ber*ant*ly, adv.
Difficulty: 19.99
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4074
And
still
the
tumid
river
grew,
consuming
new
land
with
every
thumping
heartbeat.
417
plangent
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Beating; dashing, as a wave. [R.] "The plangent wave." H. Taylor.
Difficulty: 19.99
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4407
I
lay
back
on
the
bed,
in
the
dark,
listening
to
the
sounds
of
the
street
that
rose
to
my
open
window:
the
paanwalla,
calling
customers
to
the
delights
of
his
aromatic
morsels;
the
watermelon
man,
piercing
the
warm,
humid
night
with
his
plangent
cry;
a
street
acrobat,
shouting
through
his
sweaty
exertions
for
a
crowd
of
tourists;
and
music,
always
music.
418
redrimmed
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.99
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 10681
And
as
we
stared
at
one
another
in
that
yearning
silence,
tears
began
to
fill
the
redrimmed
cups
of
his
eyes.
419
sermoner
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A preacher; a sermonizer. [Derogative or Jocose.] Thackeray.
"jocose": Given to jokes and jesting; containing a joke, or abounding in jokes; merry; sportive; humorous. To quit their austerity and be jocose and pleasant with an adversary. Shaftesbury. All . . . jocose or comical airs should be excluded. I. Watts. Syn. -- Jocular; facetious; witty; merry; pleasant; waggish; sportive; funny; comical. -- Jo*cose"ly, adv. -- Jo*cose"ness, n. Spondanus imagines that Ulysses may possibly speak jocosely, but in truth Ulysses never behaves with levity. Broome. He must beware lest his letter should contain anything like jocoseness; since jesting is incompatible with a holy and serious life. Buckle.
"derogative": Derogatory. -- De*rog"a*tive*ly, adv. [R.] Sir T. Browne.
"sermonizer": One who sermonizes.
Difficulty: 19.99
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 14551
What
emerged
was
a
tone
of
voice
that
resonated
with
the
hypnotic
piety
of
a
sermoner,
reading
from
the
Koran,
even
as
he
talked
of
his
most
profitable
crimes.
420
apodictic
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Self-evident; intuitively true; evident beyond contradiction. Brougham. Sir Wm. Hamilton.
Same as Apodeictic.
"apodeictic": Self-evident; intuitively true; evident beyond contradiction. Brougham. Sir Wm. Hamilton.
"brougham": A light, close carriage, with seats inside for two or four, and the fore wheels so arranged as to turn short.
"intuitively": In an intuitive manner.
Difficulty: 19.99
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 14786
There
was
such
apodictic
certitude
in
Khader’s
every
pronouncement,
such
a
decisive,
incontrovertible
assurance
in
the
man,
that
it
informed
and
composed
even
his
stillnesses
and
silences.
421
jounced
prev
next
Definition (jounce)
Definition (jounce)
To jolt; to shake, especially by rough riding or by driving over obstructions.
A jolt; a shake; a hard trot.
Difficulty: 19.99
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18504
As
the
streets
unwound
the
tangled
morning
coil
of
sound,
colour,
and
commotion,
I
took
a
cab
and
jounced
through
reckless
traffic
to
the
Arthur
Road
Prison.
422
camarilla
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The private audience chamber of a king. 2. A company of secret and irresponsible advisers, as of a king; a cabal or clique.
Difficulty: 19.99
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20468
No
less
industrious
in
their
pursuit
of
a
deal
with
the
camarilla
of
generals
were
the
illegals—the
black
marketeers,
gunrunners,
freebooters,
and
mercenaries.
423
meditational
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.99
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20651
An
ancient
hajji
attended
to
the
shoes
while
he
muttered
his
meditational
zikkir.
424
viridescent
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Slightly green; greenish.
"greenish": Somewhat green; having a tinge of green; as, a greenish yellow. -- Green"ish*ness, n.
Difficulty: 19.99
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21470
The
impact
of
those
tender,
viridescent
carpets
between
the
endlessly
undulating
crocodile’s
back
of
naked
stone
mountains
was
far
greater
than
it
might’ve
been
in
a
more
fertile
and
equable
landscape.
425
ululation
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A howling, as of a dog or wolf; a wailing. He may fright others with his ululation. Wither.
Difficulty: 19.99
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21478
There
was
a
chilling
ululation
from
high
above—men’s
voices
raised
in
an
imitation
of
the
high-pitched,
warbling
wail
of
tribal
women—and
a
sudden
tumble
of
small
boulders
as
a
little
avalanche
spilled
into
the
canyon
before
us.
426
rahmatullah
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.99
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21510
Thus
the
greeting
Asalaam
aleikum,
Peace
be
with
you,
should’ve
been
answered,
at
the
very
least,
with
Wa
aleikum
salaam
wa
rahmatullah,
And
with
you
be
peace
and
the
compassion
of
Allah.
427
crickle
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.99
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23191
At
midnight,
with
hunger
and
fear
prodding
us
awake,
we
all
jumped
at
a
little
crickle
of
sound
in
the
darkness.
428
minelayers
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.99
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24056
When
we
fell,
Massoud’s
men
pursued
the
fleeing
enemy
all
the
way
around
the
mountain
and
into
the
returning
company
of
minelayers.
429
kinesis
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.99
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24105
I
felt
drunk
on
the
sound
and
colour
and
gorgeous
flowing
kinesis
of
the
island
city.
430
placidity
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The quality or state of being placid; calmness; serenity. Hawthorne.
Difficulty: 19.77
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 129
There
was
a
definitive,
bovine
placidity
in
his
face
and
posture.
431
gobhi
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.77
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2034
What
is
phul
gobhi
and
bhindi?’
432
indigence
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The condition of being indigent; want of estate, or means of comfortable subsistence; penury; poverty; as, helpless, indigence. Cowper. Syn. -- Poverty; penury; destitution; want; need; privation; lack. See Poverty.
"subsistence": 1. Real being; existence. Not only the things had subsistence, but the very images were of some creatures existing. Stillingfleet. 2. Inherency; as, the subsistence of qualities in bodies. 3. That which furnishes support to animal life; means of support; provisions, or that which produces provisions; livelihood; as, a meager subsistence. His viceroy could only propose to himself a comfortable subsistence out of the plunder of his province. Addison. 4. (Theol.) Same as Hypostasis, 2. Hooker.
"privation": 1. The act of depriving, or taking away; hence, the depriving of rank or office; degradation in rank; deprivation. Bacon. 2. The state of being deprived or destitute of something, especially of something required or desired; destitution; need; as, to undergo severe privations. 3. The condition of being absent; absence; negation. Evil will be known by consequence, as being only a privation, or absence, of good. South. Privation mere of light and absent day. Milton.
"indigent": 1. Wanting; void; free; destitute; -- used with of. [Obs.] Bacon. 2. Destitute of property or means of comfortable subsistence; needy; poor; in want; necessitous. Indigent faint souls past corporal toil. Shak. Charity consists in relieving the indigent. Addison.
"penury": 1. Absence of resources; want; privation; indigence; extreme poverty; destitution. "A penury of military forces." Bacon. They were exposed to hardship and penury. Sprat. It arises in neither from penury of thought. Landor. 2. Penuriousness; miserliness. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.
"destitution": The state of being deprived of anything; the state or condition of being destitute, needy, or without resources; deficiency; lack; extreme poverty; utter want; as, the inundation caused general destitution.
Difficulty: 19.77
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2291
The
women
were
more
conspicuously
bejewelled,
despite
the
indigence
of
the
quarter,
and
what
those
jewels
lacked
in
money’s
worth
was
found
in
the
extravagance
of
their
design.
433
kaffiyehs
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.77
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2467
Some
were
Arabs,
dressed
in
loose,
cotton
robes
and
kaffiyehs.
434
propitiation
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The act of appeasing the wrath and conciliating the favor of an offended person; the act of making propitious. 2. (Theol.) That which propitiates; atonement or atoning sacrifice; specifically, the influence or effects of the death of Christ in appeasing the divine justice, and conciliating the divine favor. He [Jesus Christ] is the propitiation for our sins. 1 John ii. 2.
"propitious": 1. Convenient; auspicious; favorable; kind; as, a propitious season; a propitious breeze. 2. Hence, kind; gracious; merciful; helpful; -- said of a person or a divinity. Milton. And now t' assuage the force of this new flame, And make thee [Love] more propitious in my need. Spenser. Syn. -- Auspicious; favorable; kind. -- Propitious, Auspicious. Auspicious (from the ancient idea of auspices, or omens) denotes "indicative of success," or "favored by incidental occurrences;" as, an auspicious opening; an auspicious event. Propitious denotes that which efficaciously protect us in some undertaking, speeds our exertions, and decides our success; as, propitious gales; propitious influences. -- Pro*pi"tious*ly, adv. -- Pro*pi"tious*ness, n.
Difficulty: 19.77
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4554
And
there
were
criminals—thieves,
murderers,
major
mafia
figures,
and
even
former
warlords—who
sought
expiation,
or
propitiation,
in
the
endless
agonies
of
the
vow.
435
fortuity
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Accident; chance; casualty. D. Forbes (1750).
Difficulty: 19.77
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7020
It
was
his
habit
or
fortuity,
always,
to
find
the
most
irritating
moments
to
offer
them.
436
nimbu
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.77
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8502
I
took
a
glass
and
drank
some
of
the
nimbu
pani.
437
ratri
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.77
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9184
‘Shuba
ratri,
Lin,’
he
grinned.
438
assiduity
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Constant or close application or attention, particularly to some business or enterprise; diligence. I have, with much pains and assiduity, qualified myself for a nomenclator. Addison. 2. Studied and persevering attention to a person; -- usually in the plural.
"nomenclator": 1. One who calls persons or things by their names. Note: In Rome, candidates for office were attended each by a nomenclator, who informed the candidate of the names of the persons whom they met and whose votes it was desirable to solicit. 2. One who gives names to things, or who settles and adjusts the nomenclature of any art or science; also, a list or vocabulary of technical names.
"persevering": Characterized by perseverance; persistent. -- Per`se*ver"ing*ly, adv.
Difficulty: 19.77
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12841
It
was
the
work
of
several
hours,
and
I
practised
it
with
fanatical
assiduity,
every
morning
that
I
spent
in
Arthur
Road
Prison,
but
I
never
felt
clean
there.
439
clangour
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.77
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 14579
Factories
that
produced
the
ice
and
processed
the
fish
added
their
industrious
clangour
to
the
wailing
of
auctioneers
and
salesmen.
440
proselytising
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.77
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15493
He
was
just
forty-six
years
old,
but
his
spectacular
proselytising
missions
to
India,
and
what
was
then
called
the
Far
East,
established
his
enduring
legend.
441
longbeards
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.77
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20620
Those
longbeards
were
out
of
their
minds
at
the
way
the
Russians
were
changing
the
country—letting
women
work,
and
go
to
university,
and
get
around
in
public
without
the
full
burkha
covering.
442
terza
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.77
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20870
And
so
it
was
that
I
rode
during
the
day,
acclimatising
myself
to
the
thinner
air
above
five
thousand
feet,
and
at
night
read
the
diaries
and
journals
of
long-dead
explorers,
extinct
editions
of
Greek
classics,
eccentrically
annotated
volumes
of
Shakespeare,
and
a
dizzyingly
passionate
terza
rima
translation
of
Dante’s
The
Divine
Comedy.
443
riverscapes
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.77
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21075
The
tracks
wound
through
deep
gorges
and
crossed
riverscapes
of
astounding
beauty.
444
fervency
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The state of being fervent or warm; ardor; warmth of feeling or devotion; eagerness. When you pray, let it be with attention, with fervency, and with perseverance. Wake.
"ardor": 1. Heat, in a literal sense; as, the ardor of the sun's rays. 2. Warmth or heat of passion or affection; eagerness; zeal; as, he pursues study with ardor; the fought with ardor; martial ardor. 3. pl. Bright and effulgent spirits; seraphim. [Thus used by Milton.] Syn. -- Fervor; warmth; eagerness. See Fervor.
Difficulty: 19.77
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24101
And
an
hour
after
dawn,
eight
months
after
we
left
her,
we
walked
into
the
deep
heat
and
frantic,
toiling
fervency
of
my
beloved
Bombay.
445
enwrapping
prev
next
Definition (enwrap)
Definition (enwrap)
To envelop. See Inwrap.
"inwrap": 1. To cover by wrapping; to involve; to infold; as, to inwrap in a cloak, in smoke, etc. 2. To involve, as in difficulty or perplexity; to perplex. [R.] Bp. Hall.
"envelop": To put a covering about; to wrap up or in; to inclose within a case, wrapper, integument or the like; to surround entirely; as, to envelop goods or a letter; the fog envelops a ship. Nocturnal shades this world envelop. J. Philips.
1. That which envelops, wraps up, encases, or surrounds; a wrapper; an inclosing cover; esp., the cover or wrapper of a document, as of a letter. 2. (Astron.) The nebulous covering of the head or nucleus of a comet; -- called also coma. 3. (Fort.) A work of earth, in the form of a single parapet or of a small rampart. It is sometimes raised in the ditch and sometimes beyond it. Wilhelm. 4. (Geom.) A curve or surface which is tangent to each member of a system of curves or surfaces, the form and position of the members of the system being allowed to vary according to some continuous law. Thus, any curve is the envelope of its tangents. push the envelope. It is used to refer to the maximum performance available at the current state of the technology, and therefore refers to a class of machines in general, not a specific machine. push the envelope Increase the capability of some type of machine or system; -- usu. by technological development.
Difficulty: 19.77
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24588
And
in
the
stiff,
enwrapping
arms
of
a
throne-like
chair,
her
face
twisted
in
a
manic
stare,
was
Madame
Zhou.
446
decolourised
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.77
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27233
Unadorned
and
decolourised,
the
blue
men
seemed
spiritless,
and
much
smaller
and
slighter
than
the
fantastic
beings
I’d
first
encountered
in
the
slum.
447
ministrant
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Performing service as a minister; attendant on service; acting under command; subordinate. "Princedoms and dominations ministrant." Milton. -- n. One who ministers.
Difficulty: 19.77
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27270
He
was
also
the
divine
ministrant
of
writers.
448
politique
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.59
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1531
Perhaps
their
mode
and
their
politique
is
the
future
everywhere.’
449
anonyme
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.59
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1677
Four
people
in
this
room
with
power,
and
the
rest
are
like
the
rest
of
the
people
everywhere:
powerless,
sleepers
in
the
dream,
anonyme.
450
mythologised
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.59
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 5467
He
was
respected
and
mythologised
by
the
poor.
451
fisherwomen
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.59
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6903
Fishermen
and
fisherwomen
were
coming
home
from
Sassoon
Dock,
bringing
baskets
of
sea-smell
with
them.
452
dispirit
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. To deprive of cheerful spirits; to depress the spirits of; to dishearten; to discourage. Not dispirited with my afflictions. Dryden. He has dispirited himself by a debauch. Collier. 2. To distill or infuse the spirit of. [Obs. or R.] This makes a man master of his learning, and dispirits the book into the scholar. Fuller. Syn. -- To dishearten; discourage; deject; damp; depress; cast down; intimidate; daunt; cow.
"daunt": 1. To overcome; to conquer. [Obs.] 2. To repress or subdue the courage of; to check by fear of danger; to cow; to intimidate; to dishearten. Some presences daunt and discourage us. Glanvill. Syn. -- To dismay; appall. See Dismay.
"debauch": To lead away from purity or excellence; to corrupt in character or principles; to mar; to vitiate; to pollute; to seduce; as, to debauch one's self by intemperance; to debauch a woman; to debauch an army. Learning not debauched by ambition. Burke. A man must have got his conscience thoroughly debauched and hardened before he can arrive to the height of sin. South. Her pride debauched her judgment and her eyes. Cowley.
1. Excess in eating or drinking; intemperance; drunkenness; lewdness; debauchery. The first physicians by debauch were made. Dryden. 2. An act or occasion of debauchery. Silenus, from his night's debauch, Fatigued and sick. Cowley.
"dishearten": To discourage; to deprive of courage and hope; to depress the spirits of; to deject. Regiments . . . utterly disorganized and disheartened. Macaulay. Syn. -- To dispirit; discourage; depress; deject; deter; terrify.
"dispirited": Depressed in spirits; disheartened; daunted. -- Dis*pir"it*ed*ly, adv. -- Dis*pir"it*ed, n.
"distill": 1. To drop; to fall in drops; to trickle. Soft showers distilled, and suns grew warm in vain. Pope. 2. To flow gently, or in a small stream. The Euphrates distilleth out of the mountains of Armenia. Sir W. Raleigh. 3. To practice the art of distillation. Shak.
1. To let fall or send down in drops. Or o'er the glebe distill the kindly rain. Pope. The dew which on the tender grass The evening had distilled. Drayton. 2. To obtain by distillation; to extract by distillation, as spirits, essential oil, etc.; to rectify; as, to distill brandy from wine; to distill alcoholic spirits from grain; to distill essential oils from flowers, etc.; to distill fresh water from sea water. "Distilling odors on me." Tennyson. 3. To subject to distillation; as, to distill molasses in making rum; to distill barley, rye, corn, etc. 4. To dissolve or melt. [R.] Swords by the lightning's subtle force distilled. Addison.
"infuse": 1. To pour in, as a liquid; to pour (into or upon); to shed. That strong Circean liquor cease to infuse. Denham. 2. To instill, as principles or qualities; to introduce. That souls of animals infuse themselves Into the trunks of men. Shak. Why should he desire to have qualities infused into his son which himself never possessd Swift. 3. To inspire; to inspirit or animate; to fill; -- followed by with. Infuse his breast with magnanimity. Shak. Infusing him with self and vain conceit. Shak. 4. To steep in water or other fluid without boiling, for the propose of extracting medicinal qualities; to soak. One scruple of dried leaves is infused in ten ounces of warm water. Coxe. 5. To make an infusion with, as an ingredient; to tincture; to saturate. [R.] Bacon.
Infusion. [Obs.] Spenser.
"deject": 1. To cast down. [Obs. or Archaic] Christ dejected himself even unto the hells. Udall. Sometimes she dejects her eyes in a seeming civility; and many mistake in her a cunning for a modest look. Fuller. 2. To cast down the spirits of; to dispirit; to discourage; to dishearten. Nor think, to die dejects my lofty mind. Pope.
Dejected. [Obs.]
Difficulty: 19.59
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7217
Still,
the
war
of
the
shopkeepers
didn’t
dispirit
the
slum-dwellers.
453
brotherfuckers
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.59
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9495
Our
fellows,
they
called
them
brotherfuckers.
454
religionists
prev
next
Definition (religionist)
Definition (religionist)
One earnestly devoted or attached to a religion; a religious zealot. The chief actors on one side were, and were to be, the Puritan religionists. Palfrey. It might be that an Antinomian, a Quaker, or other heterodoreligionists, was to be scourged out of the town. Hawthorne.
"palfrey": 1. A saddle horse for the road, or for state occasions, as distinguished from a war horse. Chaucer. 2. A small saddle horse for ladies. Spenser. Call the host and bid him bring Charger and palfrey. Tennyson.
"antinomian": Of or pertaining to the Antinomians; opposed to the doctrine that the moral law is obligatory.
One who maintains that, under the gospel dispensation, the moral law is of no use or obligation, but that faith alone is necessary to salvation. The sect of Antinomians originated with John Agricola, in Germany, about the year 1535. Mosheim.
"zealot": One who is zealous; one who engages warmly in any cause, and pursues his object with earnestness and ardor; especially, one who is overzealous, or carried away by his zeal; one absorbed in devotion to anything; an enthusiast; a fanatical partisan. Zealots for the one [tradition] were in hostile array against zealots for the other. Sir J. Stephen. In Ayrshire, Clydesdale, Nithisdale, Annandale, every parish was visited by these turbulent zealots. Macaulay.
Difficulty: 19.59
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9921
Violent
confrontations
between
religionists
were
common
enough.
455
cholerae
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.59
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11484
The
vibrio
cholerae
bacterium
spreads
from
contaminated
water
and
lodges
itself
in
the
small
intestine,
producing
the
fever,
diarrhoea,
and
vomiting
that
cause
dehydration
and
death.
456
involuted
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. (Bot.) Rolled inward from the edges; -- said of leaves in vernation, or of the petals of flowers in æstivation. Gray. 2. (Zoöl.) (a) Turned inward at the margin, as the exterior lip of the Cyprea. (b) Rolled inward spirally.
"vernation": The arrangement of the leaves within the leaf bud, as regards their folding, coiling, rolling, etc.; prefoliation. VERNER'S LAW Ver"ner's law. (Philol.) A statement, propounded by the Danish philologist Karl Verner in 1875, which explains certain apparent exceptions to Grimm's law by the original position of the accent. Primitive Indo-European k, t, p, became first in Teutonic h, th, f, and appear without further change in old Teutonic, if the accent rested on the preceding syllable; but these sounds became voiced and produced g, d, b, if the accent was originally on a different syllable. Similarly s either remained unchanged, or it became z and later r. Example: Skt. sapta (accent on ultima), Gr. 'e`pta, Gothic sibun (seven). Examples in English are dead by the side of death, to rise and to rear.
"spirally": In a spiral form, manner, or direction.
Difficulty: 19.59
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 16689
I
liked
the
week
before
monsoon:
the
tension
and
excitement
I
saw
in
others
was
like
the
involuted,
emotional
disquiet
that
I
felt
almost
all
the
time.
457
dysphasic
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.59
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 19869
Three
months
of
utter
silence
and
soul-fog
had
distorted
my
speech
with
dysphasic
lapses
and
creaking
fumbles.
458
tensity
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The quality or state of being tense, or strained to stiffness; tension; tenseness.
"stiffness": The quality or state of being stiff; as, the stiffness of cloth or of paste; stiffness of manner; stiffness of character. The vices of old age have the stiffness of it too. South.
Difficulty: 19.59
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24395
He
held
on
to
me
so
tightly,
and
with
such
rigid
tensity,
that
it
was
difficult
to
steer
the
bike.
459
impassivity
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The quality of being insusceptible of feeling, pain, or suffering; impassiveness.
"insusceptible": Not susceptible; not capable of being moved, affected, or impressed; that can not feel, receive, or admit; as, a limb insusceptible of pain; a heart insusceptible of pity; a mind insusceptible to flattery. -- In`sus*cep`ti*bly adv.
Difficulty: 19.43
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 619
Without
understanding
why,
I
knew
beyond
question
that
a
lot
of
people
would
mistake
her
pride
for
arrogance,
and
confuse
her
confidence
with
impassivity.
461
overhung
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Covered over; ornamented with hangings. Carlyle. 2. Suspended from above or from the top. Overhung door, a sliding door, suspended door, suspended from the top, as upon rollers.
Difficulty: 19.43
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2136
On
a
footpath
nearby,
we
sat
beneath
a
fringe
of
hawthorn
leaves
that
overhung
a
fence
of
wrought-iron
spears,
and
inspected
one
another
for
injuries.
462
chutias
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.43
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2767
So
many
Indian
guys
are
chutias,
yaar.
463
craftworks
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.43
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4742
It
was
filled
to
three
levels
with
shops,
and
displays
of
jewels,
silks,
carpets,
and
intricate
craftworks.
464
chutia
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.43
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9313
Good
you
have
pains,
Ameer,
you
chutia.
465
forepaws
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.43
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 10492
I
saw
its
forepaws
slip
and
slide
beneath
it
with
the
energy
of
its
scrambling
turn,
and
then
gouge
out
a
purchase
on
the
dusty
track
for
the
rush
and
spring.
466
emaciation
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The act of making very lean. 2. The state of being emaciated or reduced to excessive leanness; an excessively lean condition.
"leanness": The condition or quality of being lean.
Difficulty: 19.43
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13407
‘But
how
do
you
know
him?’
I
asked,
still
staring
with
fascinated
horror
at
my
own
torture
and
emaciation.
467
infatuates
prev
next
Definition (infatuate)
Definition (infatuate)
Infatuated. Bp. Hall.
1. To make foolish; to affect with folly; to weaken the intellectual powers of, or to deprive of sound judgment. The judgment of God will be very visible in infatuating a people . . . ripe and prepared for destruction. Clarendon. 2. To inspire with a foolish and extravagant passion; as, to be infatuated with gaming. The people are . . . infatuated with the notion. Addison.
"clarendon": A style of type having a narrow and heave face. It is made in all sizes. Note: This line is in nonpareil Clarendon.
Difficulty: 19.43
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17135
Some
foreigners
I’d
dealt
with
had
told
me
that
they
loathed
the
kaleidoscopic
turmoil
of
musical
numbers,
bursting
stochastically
between
weeping
mothers,
sighing
infatuates,
and
brawling
villains.
468
somnolency
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Sleepiness; drowsiness; inclination to sleep.
"drowsiness": State of being drowsy. Milton.
"sleepiness": The quality or state of being sleepy.
Difficulty: 19.43
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 19388
Thoughts
drift
like
ocean
weeds
and
vanish
in
the
distant,
grey
somnolency,
unperceived
and
indeterminable.
469
shirtfront
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.30
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 928
‘No
problem
this
shirt,’
Prabaker
frowned,
pulling
a
handkerchief
from
his
pocket,
and
smearing
the
blood-red
fluid
deeper
into
my
shirtfront
with
vigorously
ineffective
rubbing.
470
tief
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.30
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1238
And
later,
when
I
went
to
the
bathroom
for
a
little
sniff
of
cokes,
I
came
back
to
see
daβ
er
seinen
Schwanz
ganz
tief
in
einer
meiner
Schuhe
hat!
471
santra
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.30
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1368
Rich
fruits
used
in
desserts
and
juices—paw
paw,
papaya,
custard
apples,
mosambi,
grapes,
watermelon,
banana,
santra,
and,
in
the
season,
four
varieties
of
mango—were
displayed
across
the
whole
surface
of
one
wall
in
gorgeous
abundance.
472
bailie
prev
next
Definition
Definition
An officer in Scotland, whose office formerly corresponded to that of sheriff, but now corresponds to that of an English alderman.
Difficulty: 19.30
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3585
It
seemed
to
me
that
the
Indian
ox,
known
as
the
bailie,
was
surely
the
slowest
harness
animal
in
the
world.
473
dispersements
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.30
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4830
Slums
are
planless,
organic
dispersements.
474
morchas
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.30
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 14345
If
there’s
morchas
or
riots,
it
might
not
be
so
easy
to
get
around.’
475
computerise
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.30
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 14894
When
I’d
learned
how
the
gold-smuggling
operation
worked,
I
suggested
that
Khader’s
agency
should
computerise
its
files,
and
maintain
a
database
on
the
contract
workers
who’d
successfully
completed
one
mission
for
us.
476
ineradicable
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Incapable of being The bad seed thus sown was ineradicable. Ld. Lytton.
Difficulty: 19.30
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15254
Her
mouth
was
slack
with
exhaustion
and
fear,
but
her
eyes
were
drawn
to
a
distant,
ineradicable
hope.
477
lubricious
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.30
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18706
And
I,
seeing
for
the
first
time
how
lubricious
the
uncensored
versions
of
the
dances
were,
gained
a
new
appreciation
of
the
subtler
gestures
I’d
seen
so
often
in
the
Hindi
films.
478
excruciated
prev
next
Definition (excruciate)
Definition (excruciate)
Excruciated; tortured. And here my heart long time excruciate. Chapman.
To inflict agonizing pain upon; to torture; to torment greatly; to rack; as, to excruciate the heart or the body. Their thoughts, like devils, them excruciate. Drayton.
Difficulty: 19.30
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20119
And
in
the
temporary
insanity
of
that
skinned,
excruciated
world,
we
commit
crimes.
479
feculence
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The state or quality of being feculent; muddiness; foulness. 2. That which is feculent; sediment; lees; dregs.
"muddiness": 1. The condition or quality of being muddy; turbidness; foulness casued by mud, dirt, or sediment; as, the muddiness of a stream. 2. Obscurity or confusion, as in treatment of a subject; intellectual dullness.
"feculent": Foul with extraneous or impure substances; abounding with sediment or excrementitious matter; muddy; thick; turbid. Both his hands most filthy feculent. Spenser.
"foulness": The quality or condition of being foul.
Difficulty: 19.30
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23200
Like
poison
pouring
from
an
infected
wound,
the
foulness
seemed
to
squeeze
outward
through
the
pores
of
his
skin
from
some
feculence
deep
within.
480
voluptuary
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A voluptuous person; one who makes his physical enjoyment his chief care; one addicted to luxury, and the gratification of sensual appetites. A good-humored, but hard-hearted, voluptuary. Sir W. Scott. Syn. -- Sensualist; epicure.
Voluptuous; luxurious.
"epicure": 1. A follower of Epicurus; an Epicurean. [Obs.] Bacon. 2. One devoted to dainty or luxurious sensual enjoyments, esp. to the luxuries of the table. Syn. -- Voluptuary; sensualist.
"sensualist": 1. One who is sensual; one given to the indulgence of the appetites or senses as the means of happiness. 2. One who holds to the doctrine of sensualism.
Difficulty: 19.30
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24489
His
mouth
swelled
in
something
like
the
old
voluptuary
smile,
and
he
looked
into
my
eyes
with
avid,
hungering
concentration.
481
plasmic
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Of, pertaining to, or connected with, plasma; plasmatic. A piece of DNA, usually circular, functioning as part of the genetic material of a cell, not integrated with the chromosome and replicating independently of the chromosome, but transferred, like the chromosome, to subsequent generations. In bacteria, plasmids often carry the genes for antibiotic resistance; they are exploited in genetic engineering as the vehicles for introduction of extraneous DNA into cells, to alter the genetic makeup of the cell. The cells thus altered may produce desirable proteins which are extracted and used; in the case of genetically altered plant cells, the altered cells may grow into complete plants with changed properties, as for example, increased resistance to disease. .
"plasmatic": 1. Forming; shaping; molding. [Obs.] Dr. H. More. 2. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to plasma; having the character of plasma; containing, or conveying, plasma.
"extraneous": Not belonging to, or dependent upon, a thing; without or beyond a thing; not essential or intrinsic; foreign; as, to separate gold from extraneous matter. Nothing is admitted extraneous from the indictment. Landor. -- Ex*tra"ne*ous*ly, adv.
Difficulty: 19.18
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2138
The
bleeding
had
already
stopped,
and
it
began
to
weep
a
clear,
plasmic
fluid.
482
refulgent
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Casting a bright light; radiant; brilliant; resplendent; shining; splendid; as, refulgent beams. -- Re*ful"gent*ly, adv. So conspicuous and refulgent a truth. Boyle.
"resplendent": Shining with brilliant luster; very bright. -- Re*splen"dent*ly, adv. With royal arras and resplendent gold. Spenser.
Difficulty: 19.18
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3253
He
reflected
for
a
moment
with
a
frown
of
concentration,
and
then
brightened
again,
his
familiar
smile
refulgent
in
the
dimly
lit
carriage.
483
indispensability
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Indispensableness.
"indispensableness": The state or quality of being indispensable, or absolutely necessary. S. Clarke.
Difficulty: 19.18
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6419
They
seemed
to
want
some
response,
some
reaction,
to
the
story
of
their
sadness
and
skill,
their
cruel
isolation
and
violent
indispensability.
484
brutalising
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.18
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7189
Their
houses
were
the
most
primitive,
and
the
conditions
under
which
they
lived
the
most
harsh
and
brutalising,
of
all
the
millions
of
homeless
people
in
Bombay.
485
kachori
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.18
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18963
It
began
with
a
white
soup
entree
made
with
lamb
cooked
in
blanched-almond
milk,
worked
its
way
through
grilled
chicken
in
a
cayenne,
cumin,
and
mango
marinade,
and
ended,
after
many
other
side
platters,
with
fruit
salad,
honey
kachori
balls,
and
kulfi
ice
cream.
486
baap
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.18
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 19045
‘Arrey
baap!’
Chandra
Mehta
puffed.
487
wickerwork
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A texture of osiers, twigs, or rods; articles made of such a texture.
Difficulty: 19.18
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 19730
The
room
I
chose
had
a
cot
with
a
kapok
mattress,
a
weathered
carpet,
a
small
cabinet
with
wickerwork
doors,
a
lamp
with
a
silk
lampshade,
and
a
large
clay
matka
filled
with
water.
488
waul
prev
next
Definition
Definition
To cry as a cat; to squall; to wail. [Written also wawl.] The helpless infant, coming wauling and crying into the world. Sir W. Scott.
"wawl": See Waul. Shak.
"squall": A sudden violent gust of wind often attended with rain or snow. The gray skirts of a lifting squall. Tennyson. Black squall, a squall attended with dark, heavy clouds. -- Thick squall, a black squall accompanied by rain, hail, sleet, or snow. Totten. -- White squall, a squall which comes unexpectedly, without being marked in its approach by the clouds. Totten.
To cry out; to scream or cry violently, as a woman frightened, or a child in anger or distress; as, the infant squalled.
A loud scream; a harsh cry. There oft are heard the notes of infant woe, -The short, thick sob, loud scream, and shriller squall. Pope.
Difficulty: 19.18
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24739
Rajan’s
brother,
the
one
with
the
knife,
let
out
that
blood-numbing
waul
and
ran
at
Didier,
who
swung
his
pistol
round
without
hesitation
and
shot
the
man
in
the
groin,
near
the
hip.
489
discomfiting
prev
next
Definition (comfit)
Definition (comfit)
A dry sweetmeat; any kind of fruit, root, or seed preserved with sugar and dried; a confection.
To preserve dry with sugar. The fruit which does so quickly waste, . . . Thou comfitest in sweets to make it last. Cowley.
"sweetmeat": 1. Fruit preserved with sugar, as peaches, pears, melons, nuts, orange peel, etc.; -- usually in the plural; a confect; a confection. 2. The paint used in making patent leather. 3. (Zoöl.) A boat shell (Crepidula fornicata) of the American coast. [Local, U.S.]
"confection": 1. A composition of different materials. [Obs.] A new confection of mold. Bacon. 2. A preparation of fruits or roots, etc., with sugar; a sweetmeat. Certain confections . . . are like to candied conserves, and are made of sugar and lemons. Bacon. 3. A composition of drugs. Shak. 4. (Med.) A soft solid made by incorporating a medicinal substance or substances with sugar, sirup, or honey. Note: The pharmacopoeias formerly made a distinction between conserves (made of fresh vegetable substances and sugar) and electuaries (medicinal substances combined with sirup or honey), but the distinction is now abandoned and all are called confections.
Difficulty: 19.18
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26937
There
are
few
things
more
discomfiting
than
a
spontaneous
outburst
of
genuine
decency
from
someone
you’re
determined
to
dislike
for
no
good
reason.
490
malignity
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The state or quality of being malignant; disposition to do evil; virulent enmity; malignancy; malice; spite. 2. Virulence; deadly quality. His physicians discerned an invincible malignity in his disease. Hayward. 3. Extreme evilness of nature or influence; perniciousness; heinousness; as, the malignity of fraud. [R.] Syn. -- See Malice.
"malignancy": 1. The state or quality of being malignant; extreme malevolence; bitter enmity; malice; as, malignancy of heart. 2. Unfavorableness; evil nature. The malignancy of my fate might perhaps distemner yours. Shak. 3. (Med.) Virulence; tendency to a fatal issue; as, the malignancy of an ulcer or of a fever. 4. The state of being a malignant. Syn. -- Malice; malevolence; malignity. See Malice.
"evilness": The condition or quality of being evil; badness; viciousness; malignity; vileness; as, evilness of heart; the evilness of sin.
"virulence": 1. The quality or state of being virulent or venomous; poisonousness; malignancy. 2. Extreme bitterness or malignity of disposition. "Refuted without satirical virulency." Barrow. The virulence of one declaimer, or the profundities and sublimities of the other. I. Taylor.
Difficulty: 19.08
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1192
He
spoke
a
lavishly
accented
English,
using
the
language
to
provoke
and
criticise
friend
and
stranger
alike
with
an
indolent
malignity.
491
polymorphous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Having, or assuming, a variety of forms, characters, or styles; as, a polymorphous author. De Quincey. 2. (Biol.) Having, or occurring in, several distinct forms; -- opposed to monomorphic.
"monomorphic": Having but a single form; retaining the same form throughout the various stages of development; of the same or of an essentially similar type of structure; -- opposed to dimorphic, trimorphic, and polymorphic.
Difficulty: 19.08
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6143
It
had
surprised
me,
at
first,
that
a
city
so
polymorphous
as
Bombay,
with
its
unceasing
variety
of
peoples,
languages,
and
pursuits,
tended
to
such
narrow
concentrations.
492
dolorous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Full of grief; sad; sorrowful; doleful; dismal; as, a dolorous object; dolorous discourses. You take me in too dolorous a sense; I spake to you for your comfort. Shak. 2. Occasioning pain or grief; painful. Their dispatch is quick, and less dolorous than the paw of the bear or teeth of the lion. Dr. H. More. -- Dol"or*ous*ly, adv. -- Dol"or*ous*ness, n.
"doleful": Full of dole or grief; expressing or exciting sorrow; sorrowful; sad; dismal. With screwed face and doleful whine. South. Regions of sorrow, doleful shades. Milton. Syn. -- Piteous; rueful; sorrowful; woeful; melancholy; sad gloomy; dismal; dolorous; woe-begone. - Dole"ful*ly, adv. -- Dole"ful*ness, n.
Difficulty: 19.08
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6965
The
bear
swayed
from
side
to
side,
scanning
the
crowd
with
those
large,
dolorous
eyes.
493
architraves
prev
next
Definition (architrave)
Definition (architrave)
(a) The lower division of an entablature, or that part which rests immediately on the column, esp. in classical architecture. See Column. (b) The group of moldings, or other architectural member, above and on both sides of a door or other opening, especially if square in form.
"entablature": The superstructure which lies horizontally upon the columns. See Illust. of Column, Cornice. Note: It is commonly divided into architrave, the part immediately above the column; frieze, the central space; and cornice, the upper projecting moldings. Parker.
Difficulty: 19.08
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8365
The
heavy
stone
architraves
over
the
door
and
windows
had
been
chiselled
into
coronets
of
five-pointed
stars.
494
supernatant
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Swimming above; floating on the surface; as, oil supernatant on water. SUPERNATANT Su`per*na"tant, n. (Chem.) The liquid remaining after solids suspended in a liquid have been sedimented by gravity or by centrifugation. Contrasted with the solid sediment, or (in centrifugation) the pellet.
"tant": A small scarlet arachnid.
Difficulty: 19.08
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 19399
I
floated,
upraised
on
the
supernatant
liquid
of
the
smack
in
the
spoon,
and
the
spoon
was
as
big
as
a
room.
495
enwrapped
prev
next
Definition (enwrap)
Definition (enwrap)
To envelop. See Inwrap.
"inwrap": 1. To cover by wrapping; to involve; to infold; as, to inwrap in a cloak, in smoke, etc. 2. To involve, as in difficulty or perplexity; to perplex. [R.] Bp. Hall.
"envelop": To put a covering about; to wrap up or in; to inclose within a case, wrapper, integument or the like; to surround entirely; as, to envelop goods or a letter; the fog envelops a ship. Nocturnal shades this world envelop. J. Philips.
1. That which envelops, wraps up, encases, or surrounds; a wrapper; an inclosing cover; esp., the cover or wrapper of a document, as of a letter. 2. (Astron.) The nebulous covering of the head or nucleus of a comet; -- called also coma. 3. (Fort.) A work of earth, in the form of a single parapet or of a small rampart. It is sometimes raised in the ditch and sometimes beyond it. Wilhelm. 4. (Geom.) A curve or surface which is tangent to each member of a system of curves or surfaces, the form and position of the members of the system being allowed to vary according to some continuous law. Thus, any curve is the envelope of its tangents. push the envelope. It is used to refer to the maximum performance available at the current state of the technology, and therefore refers to a class of machines in general, not a specific machine. push the envelope Increase the capability of some type of machine or system; -- usu. by technological development.
Difficulty: 19.08
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21713
A
gloomy
mood
enwrapped
me.
496
khels
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.08
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23127
We
tried
many
times
to
slip
away
from
the
camp
and
reach
one
of
the
neighbouring
khels
to
secure
some
extra
food.
497
knuckleduster
prev
next
Difficulty: 19.08
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27759
He
had
rings
on
his
fingers,
or
he
was
using
a
knuckleduster.
498
enrapture
prev
next
Definition
Definition
To transport with pleasure; to delight beyond measure; to enravish. Shenstone.
"enravish": To transport with delight; to enrapture; to fascinate. Spenser.
Difficulty: 18.98
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 692
A
voice
in
my
blood
said
yes,
yes,
yes
…
The
ancient
Sanskrit
legends
speak
of
a
destined
love,
a
karmic
connection
between
souls
that
are
fated
to
meet
and
collide
and
enrapture
one
another.
499
airconditioned
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.98
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1360
There
was
a
smaller,
more
discreet,
airconditioned
bar
on
the
first
floor,
supported
by
sturdy
columns
that
divided
the
ground
floor
into
roughly
equal
sections,
and
around
which
many
of
the
tables
were
grouped.
500
viscid
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Sticking or adhering, and having a ropy or glutinous consistency; viscous; glutinous; sticky; tenacious; clammy; as, turpentine, tar, gums, etc., are more or less viscid.
"ropy": capable of being drawn into a thread, as a glutinous substance; stringy; viscous; tenacious; glutinous; as ropy sirup; ropy lees.
"viscous": Adhesive or sticky, and having a ropy or glutinous consistency; viscid; glutinous; clammy; tenacious; as, a viscous juice. -- Vis"cous*ness, n. Note: There is no well-defined distinction in meaning between viscous and viscid.
"glutinous": 1. Of the nature of glue; resembling glue; viscous; viscid; adhesive; gluey. 2. (Bot.) Havig a moist and adhesive or sticky surface, as a leaf or gland.
Difficulty: 18.98
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9953
A
viscid
mix
of
emotions
boiled
in
me,
but
I
knew
that
most
of
it
was
rage,
and
most
of
the
anger
was
at
myself.
501
papadams
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.98
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11992
We
ate
chicken
byriani,
malai
kofta,
vegetable
korma,
rice,
curried
vegetables,
deep
fried
pieces
of
pumpkin,
potato,
onion,
and
cauliflower,
hot
buttered
naan
bread,
dhal,
papadams,
and
green
mango
chutney.
502
euphony
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A pleasing or sweet sound; an easy, smooth enunciation of sounds; a pronunciation of letters and syllables which is pleasing to the ear.
"enunciation": 1. The act of enunciating, announcing, proclaiming, or making known; open attestation; declaration; as, the enunciation of an important truth. By way of interpretation and enunciation. Jer. Taylor. 2. Mode of utterance or pronunciation, especially as regards fullness and distinctness or articulation; as, to speak with a clear or impressive enunciation. 3. That which is enunciated or announced; words in which a proposition is expressed; an announcement; a formal declaration; a statement. Every intelligible enunciation must be either true or false. A. Clarke.
Difficulty: 18.98
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26563
Adrift
on
the
softness
in
his
voice,
I
asked
myself
if
that
was
the
key
to
the
mysterious
bond
that
had
existed
between
them,
Ulla
and
Modena:
if
they’d
talked
to
one
another,
for
hours,
when
they
were
alone,
and
if
that
tender
euphony,
that
voice
music,
had
held
them
together.
503
wollte
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.90
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1236
Spritzen
wollte
er,
all
over
my
clothes!
504
riyals
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.90
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13658
The
black
marketeers
were
happy
because
a
steady
stream
of
dollars,
Deutschmarks,
riyals,
and
dirhams
flowed
into
the
river
of
demand
created
by
Indian
business
travellers.
505
actuating
prev
next
Definition (actuate)
Definition (actuate)
1. To put into action or motion; to move or incite to action; to influence actively; to move as motives do; -- more commonly used of persons. Wings, which others were contriving to actuate by the perpetual motion. Johnson. Men of the greatest abilities are most fired with ambition; and, on the contrary, mean and narrow minds are the least actuated by it. Addison. 2. To carry out in practice; to perform. [Obs.] "To actuate what you command." Jer. Taylor. Syn. -- To move; impel; incite; rouse; instigate; animate.
Put in action; actuated. [Obs.] South.
"impel": To drive or urge forward or on; to press on; to incite to action or motion in any way. The surge impelled me on a craggy coast. Pope. Syn. -- To instigate; incite; induce; influence; force; drive; urge; actuate; move.
Difficulty: 18.90
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13689
After
twenty
minutes
of
excited,
actuating
discussion,
we
agreed
to
visit
Ranjit
together
to
find
out
more
about
the
history
of
the
black
market
in
medicines.
506
premonitory
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Giving previous warning or notice; as, premonitory symptoms of disease. -- Pre*mon"i*to*ri*ly, adv.
Difficulty: 18.90
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 14814
Madjid
was
kind
and
patient
and
generous
with
me,
yet
I
had
no
feeling
for
him
at
all
beyond
a
vague,
premonitory
unease.
507
organdie
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A kind of transparent light muslin.
"muslin": A thin cotton, white, dyed, or printed. The name is also applied to coarser and heavier cotton goods; as, shirting and sheeting muslins. Muslin cambric. See Cambric. -- Muslin delaine, a light woolen fabric for women's dresses. See Delaine. [Written also mousseline de laine.]
Difficulty: 18.90
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18728
Lettie
wore
a
burnt-gold
suit,
with
a
broad,
gold
straw
hat
bearing
organdie
roses.
508
exegesis
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Exposition; explanation; especially, a critical explanation of a text or portion of Scripture. 2. (Math.) The process of finding the roots of an equation. [Obs.]
Difficulty: 18.90
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 25407
I
know
now
that
assassin
grief
can
hide
for
years
and
then
strike
suddenly,
on
the
happiest
day,
without
discernible
reason
or
exegesis.
509
condign
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Worthy; suitable; deserving; fit. [Obs.] Condign and worthy praise. Udall. Herself of all that rule she deemend most condign. Spenser. 2. Deserved; adequate; suitable to the fault or crime. "Condign censure." Milman. Unless it were a bloody murderer . . . I never gave them condign punishment. Shak.
Difficulty: 18.90
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26073
Within
that
little
kingdom,
any
man
or
woman
who
hadn’t
kept
their
involvement
with
prostitution
and
pornography
to
very
low,
very
discreet,
levels
of
activity
had
risked
his
condign
punishment.
510
angularity
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The quality or state of being angular; angularness.
"angularness": The quality of being angular.
Difficulty: 18.90
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26829
Kavita’s
shapely
figure
and
perilously
seductive
eye
seemed
the
perfect
complement
to
Cliff’s
rangy
angularity
and
the
boyishness
of
his
artless,
lopsided
grin.
511
stonewashed
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.82
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 141
His
companion
looked
like
a
shorter,
more
compact
version
of
himself;
they
even
wore
identical
stonewashed
jeans,
sandals,
and
soft,
calico
jackets.
512
kheema
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.82
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7623
A
team
of
women
scooped
out
servings
of
saffron
rice,
alu
palak,
kheema,
bhajee,
and
other
foods.
513
landward
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Toward the land.
Difficulty: 18.82
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13721
Instead,
with
Khaderbhai’s
help,
I
rented
an
apartment
in
Colaba
at
the
landward
end
of
Best
Street,
not
far
from
Leopold’s.
514
duteousness
prev
next
Definition (duteous)
Definition (duteous)
1. Fulfilling duty; dutiful; having the sentiments due to a superior, or to one to whom respect or service is owed; obedient; as, a duteous son or daughter. 2. Subservient; obsequious. Duteous to the vices of thy mistress. Shak. -- Du"te*ous*ly, adv. -- Du"te*ous*ness, n.
"obsequious": 1. Promptly obedient, or submissive, to the will of another; compliant; yielding to the desires of another; devoted. [Obs.] His servants weeping, Obsequious to his orders, bear him hither. Addison. 2. Servilely or meanly attentive; compliant to excess; cringing; fawning; as, obsequious flatterer, parasite. There lies ever in "obsequious" at the present the sense of an observance which is overdone, of an unmanly readiness to fall in with the will of another. Trench. 3. Etym: [See Obsequy.] Of or pertaining to obsequies; funereal. [R.] "To do obsequious sorrow." Shak. Syn. -- Compliant; obedient; servile. See Yielding.
Difficulty: 18.82
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18090
By
his
own
account,
repeated
to
Ulla
whenever
he
was
drunk,
he
was
raised
with
indifferent
duteousness
by
distant
relatives
who’d
tolerated
him
reluctantly
in
the
loveless
shelter
of
their
home.
515
faience
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Glazed earthenware; esp., that which is decorated in color.
"earthenware": Vessels and other utensils, ornaments, or the like, made of baked clay. See Crockery, Pottery, Stoneware, and Porcelain.
Difficulty: 18.82
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18371
I
listened
to
Khaderbhai’s
lectures,
and
immersed
myself
in
the
books,
manuscripts,
parchments,
and
ancient
faience
carvings
in
Abdul
Ghani’s
extensive
private
collection.
516
ambrosial
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Consisting of, or partaking of the nature of, ambrosia; delighting the taste or smell; delicious. "Ambrosial food." "Ambrosial fragrance." Milton. 2. Divinely excellent or beautiful. "Shakes his ambrosial curls." Pope.
"delighting": Giving delight; gladdening. -- De*light"ing*ly, adv. Jer. Taylor.
Difficulty: 18.74
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 988
I
threw
my
arm
around
his
shoulder
and
led
him
into
the
steamy,
ambrosial
activity
of
the
busy
restaurant.
517
furthermost
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Most remote; furthest.
Difficulty: 18.74
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4753
Once
past
the
latrines
and
within
the
first
lane
of
huts,
however,
there
were
fitful
gusts
of
wind
from
a
wide
arc
of
seacoast
that
formed
the
furthermost
edge
of
the
slum.
518
acanthus
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. (Bot.) A genus of herbaceous prickly plants, found in the south of Europe, Asia Minor, and India; bear's-breech. 2. (Arch.) An ornament resembling the foliage or leaves of the acanthus (Acanthus spinosus); -- used in the capitals of the Corinthian and Composite orders.
"corinthian": 1. Of or relating to Corinth. 2. (Arch.) Of or pertaining to the Corinthian order of architecture, invented by the Greeks, but more commonly used by the Romans. This is the lightest and most ornamental of the three orders used by the Greeks. Parker. 3. Debauched in character or practice; impure. Milton. 4. Of or pertaining to an amateur sailor or yachtsman; as, a corinthian race (one in which the contesting yachts must be manned by amateurs.)
1. A native or inhabitant of Corinth. 2. A gay, licentious person. [Obs.]
"herbaceous": Of or pertaining to herbs; having the nature, texture, or characteristics, of an herb; as, herbaceous plants; an herbaceous stem.
Difficulty: 18.74
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8362
The
street
windows
were
barred
with
wrought-iron
curlicues
beaten
into
the
shape
of
acanthus
leaves.
519
desultory
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Leaping or skipping about. [Obs.] I shot at it [a bird], but it was so desultory that I missed my aim. Gilbert White. 2. Jumping, or passing, from one thing or subject to another, without order or rational connection; without logical sequence; disconnected; immethodical; aimless; as, desultory minds. Atterbury. He [Goldsmith] knew nothing accurately; his reading had been desultory. Macaulay. 3. Out of course; by the way; as a digression; not connected with the subject; as, a desultory remark. Syn. -- Rambling; roving; immethodical; discursive; inconstant; unsettled; cursory; slight; hasty; loose.
"inconstant": Not constant; not stable or uniform; subject to change of character, appearance, opinion, inclination, or purpose, etc.; not firm; unsteady; fickle; changeable; variable; -- said of persons or things; as, inconstant in love or friendship. "The inconstant moon." Shak. While we, inquiring phantoms of a day, Inconstant as the shadows we survey! Boyse. Syn. -- Mutable; fickle; volatile; unsteady; unstable; changeable; variable; wavering; fluctuating.
"discursive": 1. Passing from one thing to another; ranging over a wide field; roving; digressive; desultory. "Discursive notices." De Quincey. The power he [Shakespeare] delights to show is not intense, but discursive. Hazlitt. A man rather tacit than discursive. Carlyle. 2. Reasoning; proceeding from one ground to another, as in reasoning; argumentative. Reason is her being, Discursive or intuitive. Milton. -- Dis*cur"sive*ly, adv. -- Dis*cur"sive*ness, n.
"immethodical": Not methodical; without method or systematic arrangement; without order or regularity; confused. Addison. Syn. -- Irregular; confused; disoderly; unsystematic; desultory.
"cursory": 1. Running about; not stationary. [Obs.] 2. Characterized by haste; hastily or superficially performed; slight; superficial; careless. Events far too important to be treated in a cursory manner. Hallam.
"digression": 1. The act of digressing or deviating, esp. from the main subject of a discourse; hence, a part of a discourse deviating from its main design or subject. The digressions I can not excuse otherwise, than by the confidence that no man will read them. Sir W. Temple. 2. A turning aside from the right path; transgression; offense. [R.] Then my digression is so vile, so base, That it will live engraven in my face. Shak. 3. (Anat.) The elongation, or angular distance from the sun; -- said chiefly of the inferior planets. [R.]
Difficulty: 18.74
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12127
A
desultory
breeze
riffled
the
gauze
curtains,
and
I
saw
a
soft
yellow
light,
a
candle,
glowing
within.
520
baulked
prev
next
Definition (baulk)
Definition (baulk)
See Balk.
"balk": 1. A ridge of land left unplowed between furrows, or at the end of a field; a piece missed by the plow slipping aside. Bad plowmen made balks of such ground. Fuller. 2. A great beam, rafter, or timber; esp., the tie-beam of a house. The loft above was called "the balks." Tubs hanging in the balks. Chaucer. 3. (Mil.) One of the beams connecting the successive supports of a trestle bridge or bateau bridge. 4. A hindrance or disappointment; a check. A balk to the confidence of the bold undertaker. South. 5. A sudden and obstinate stop; a failure. 6. (Baseball) A deceptive gesture of the pitcher, as if to deliver the ball. Balk line (Billiards), a line across a billiard table near one end, marking a limit within which the cue balls are placed in beginning a game; also, a line around the table, parallel to the sides, used in playing a particular game, called the balk line game.
1. To leave or make balks in. [Obs.] Gower. 2. To leave heaped up; to heap up in piles. [Obs.] Ten thousand bold Scots, two and twenty knights, Balk'd in their own blood did Sir Walter see. Shak. 3. To omit, miss, or overlook by chance. [Obs.] 4. To miss intentionally; to avoid; to shun; to refuse; to let go by; to shirk. [Obs. or Obsolescent] By reason of the contagion then in London, we balked the Evelyn. Sick he is, and keeps his bed, and balks his meat. Bp. Hall. Nor doth he any creature balk, But lays on all he meeteth. Drayton. 5. To disappoint; to frustrate; to foil; to baffle; to as, to balk expectation. They shall not balk my entrance. Byron.
1. To engage in contradiction; to be in opposition. [Obs.] In strifeful terms with him to balk. Spenser. 2. To stop abruptly and stand still obstinately; to jib; to stop short; to swerve; as, the horse balks. Note: This has been regarded as an Americanism, but it occurs in Spenser's "Faërie Queene," Book IV., 10, xxv. Ne ever ought but of their true loves talkt, Ne ever for rebuke or blame of any balkt.
To indicate to fishermen, by shouts or signals from shore, the direction taken by the shoals of herring.
Difficulty: 18.74
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12963
The
rest
of
them
baulked.
521
nailbrush
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A brush for cleaning the nails.
Difficulty: 18.74
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13377
I
tipped
a
whole
bottle
of
Dettol
disinfectant
over
my
head,
and
scrubbed
it
into
my
skin
with
a
hard
nailbrush.
522
bookwork
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Work done upon a book or books (as in a printing office), in distinction from newspaper or job work. 2. Study; application to books.
Difficulty: 18.74
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 16007
I
can
read
and
write
very
well—my
mother
made
sure
I
was
educated—and
I
do
the
bookwork
for
all
the
shops
and
businesses
in
the
slum.
523
cannibalise
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.74
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17356
It
was
possible
to
cannibalise
them
by
pulling
apart
the
stitching
to
furnish
fresh
pages
for
other,
usable
books.
524
egalitarianism
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.74
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17413
On
the
other
hand,
the
criminals
in
Khader’s
network
displayed
a
kind
of
egalitarianism
that
would’ve
filled
communists
and
Gnostic
Christians
with
admiring
envy.
525
coir
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. A material for cordage, matting, etc., consisting of the prepared fiber of the outer husk of the cocoanut. Homans. 2. Cordage or cables, made of this material.
"cocoanut": The large, hard-shelled nut of the cocoa palm. It yields an agreeable milky liquid and a white meat or albumen much used as food and in making oil.
"matting": 1. The act of interweaving or tangling together so as to make a mat; the process of becoming matted. 2. Mats, in general, or collectively; mat work; a matlike fabric, for use in covering floors, packing articles, and the like; a kind of carpeting made of straw, etc. 3. Materials for mats. 4. An ornamental border. See 3d Mat, 4.
A dull, lusterless surface in certain of the arts, as gilding, metal work, glassmaking, etc.
"cordage": Ropes or cords, collectively; hence, anything made of rope or cord, as those parts of the rigging of a ship which consist of ropes.
Difficulty: 18.74
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18632
In
another
yard
some
women
were
squatting
together,
washing
dishes
with
small
anemones
of
coir
rope
and
a
long
bar
of
coral-coloured
soap.
526
hearthstone
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Stone forming the hearth; hence, the fireside; home. Chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone. A. Lincoln.
Difficulty: 18.74
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 22628
The
anger
in
me
was
as
hard
and
heavy
as
a
basalt
hearthstone,
and
I
knew
it
would
take
years
to
wear
down,
but
I
couldn’t
hate
them.
527
raffish
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Resembling, or having the character of, raff, or a raff; worthless; low. A sad, raffish, disreputable character. Thackeray.
Difficulty: 18.67
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11959
She
slipped
it
on
with
a
raffish
tilt
of
the
cap’s
peak,
and
we
set
off.
528
dehumanising
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.67
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12415
The
procedure
was
as
vile
and
dehumanising
for
them
as
it
was
for
the
poorest
prisoner;
and
in
that,
if
in
nothing
else,
we
were
all
nearly
equal.
529
choli
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.67
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18669
They
wore
traditional
tight
choli
blouses
and
wrap-around
saris.
530
snuffle
prev
next
Definition
Definition
To speak through the nose; to breathe through the nose when it is obstructed, so as to make a broken sound. One clad in purple Eats, and recites some lamentable rhyme . . . Snuffling at nose, and croaking in his throat. Dryden.
1. The act of snuffing; a sound made by the air passing through the nose when obstructed. This dread sovereign, Breath, in its passage, gave a snort or snuffle. Coleridge. 2. An affected nasal twang; hence, cant; hypocrisy. 3. pl. Obstruction of the nose by mucus; nasal catarrh of infants or children. [Colloq.]
"catarrh": An inflammatory affection of any mucous membrane, in which there are congestion, swelling, and an altertion in the quantity and quality of mucus secreted; as catarrh of the stomach; catarrh of the bladder. Note: In America, the term catarrh is applied especially to a chronic inflammation of, and hypersecretion fron, the membranes of the nose or air passages; in England, to an acute influenza, resulting a cold, and attended with cough, thirst, lassitude, and watery eyes; also, to the cold itself.
"twang": A tang. See Tang a state. [R.]
To sound with a quick, harsh noise; to make the sound of a tense string pulled and suddenly let go; as, the bowstring twanged.
To make to sound, as by pulling a tense string and letting it go suddenly. Sounds the tough horn, and twangs the quivering string. Pope.
1. A harsh, quick sound, like that made by a stretched string when pulled and suddenly let go; as, the twang of a bowstring. 2. An affected modulation of the voice; a kind of nasal sound. He has such a twang in his discourse. Arbuthnot.
"lamentable": 1. Mourning; sorrowful; expressing grief; as, a lamentable countenance. "Lamentable eye." Spenser. 2. Fitted to awaken lament; to be lamented; sorrowful; pitiable; as, a lamentable misfortune, or error. "Lamentable helplessness." Burke. 3. Miserable; pitiful; paltry; -- in a contemptuous or Bp. Stillingfleet. -- Lam"en*ta*ble*ness, n. -- Lam"en*ta*bly, adv.
Difficulty: 18.67
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20294
And
when
the
dance
was
over,
Vikram
spoke
to
my
horse
in
Hindi,
letting
it
snuffle
at
his
black
hat.
531
freebooter
prev
next
Definition
Definition
One who plunders or pillages without the authority of national warfare; a member of a predatory band; a pillager; a buccaneer; a sea robber. Bacon.
"pillager": One who pillages. Pope.
"buccaneer": A robber upon the sea; a pirate; -- a term applied especially to the piratical adventurers who made depredations on the Spaniards in America in the 17th and 18th centuries. [Written also bucanier.] Note: Primarily, one who dries and smokes flesh or fish after the manner of the Indians. The name was first given to the French settlers in Hayti or Hispaniola, whose business was to hunt wild cattle and swine.
To act the part of a buccaneer; to live as a piratical adventurer or sea robber.
Difficulty: 18.67
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20481
One
enterprising
German
freebooter
had
driven
a
Mercedes
truck
loaded
with
surplus
German
army
alpine-issue
uniforms,
complete
with
thermal
underwear,
from
Munich
to
Peshawar.
532
enshrouding
prev
next
Definition (enshroud)
Definition (enshroud)
To cover with, or as with, a shroud; to shroud. Churchill.
Difficulty: 18.67
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24575
The
corridor
wound
through
several
turns,
and
I
lost
my
bearings,
unsure
in
the
enshrouding
darkness
if
I
faced
the
front
of
the
house
or
the
rear.
533
pugnacity
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Inclination or readiness to fight; quarrelsomeness. " A national pugnacity of character." Motley.
Difficulty: 18.61
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2062
There
was
an
angry,
bullying
pugnacity
in
his
attitude
to
everyone
else
on
the
road.
534
hammerlock
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.61
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4639
He
gripped
the
fallen
man’s
arm
in
a
hammerlock,
behind
his
back.
535
bearish
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Partaking of the qualities of a bear; resembling a bear in temper or manners. Harris.
Difficulty: 18.61
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6431
We
stood
together
for
a
moment,
and
then
he
reached
out
impulsively
and
enclosed
me
in
a
warm,
bearish
hug.
536
ambit
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Circuit or compass. His great parts did not live within a small ambit. Milward.
Difficulty: 18.61
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6542
An
incident
that
occurred
in
those
weeks
before
the
rain
brought
me
into
the
ambit
of
his
wisdom,
and
revealed
to
me
why
it
was
so
widely
revered.
537
openhearted
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.61
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9118
Young
Farid
was
openhearted,
self-effacing
and,
I
suspected,
too
easily
led.
538
leatherwork
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.61
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9332
I’d
stitched
his
wound
closed
with
a
leatherwork
needle
and
embroidery
thread.
539
equably
prev
next
Definition
Definition
In an equable manner.
Difficulty: 18.61
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 10656
‘Yes,’
he
answered
equably.
540
irrecoverable
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Not capable of being recovered, regained, or remedied; irreparable; as, an irrecoverable loss, debt, or injury. That which is past is gone and irrecoverable. Bacon. Syn. -- Irreparable; irretrievable; irremediable; unalterable; incurable; hopeless. -- Ir`re*cov"er*a*ble*ness, n. -- Ir`re*cov"er*a*bly, adv.
"irremediable": Not to be remedied, corrected, or redressed; incurable; as, an irremediable disease or evil.
"irretrievable": Not retrievable; irrecoverable; irreparable; as, an irretrievable loss. Syn. -- Irremediable; incurable; irrecoverable.
Difficulty: 18.61
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17509
Its
virtues
and
its
solaces
beyond
price
were
as
remote
and
irrecoverable
as
the
life
I’d
known
and
lost
in
Australia.
541
gamine
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.61
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18947
Reeta
had
a
neat
short
hairstyle
that
suited
her
small
face
and
gamine
features.
542
freebooters
prev
next
Definition (freebooter)
Definition (freebooter)
One who plunders or pillages without the authority of national warfare; a member of a predatory band; a pillager; a buccaneer; a sea robber. Bacon.
"pillager": One who pillages. Pope.
"buccaneer": A robber upon the sea; a pirate; -- a term applied especially to the piratical adventurers who made depredations on the Spaniards in America in the 17th and 18th centuries. [Written also bucanier.] Note: Primarily, one who dries and smokes flesh or fish after the manner of the Indians. The name was first given to the French settlers in Hayti or Hispaniola, whose business was to hunt wild cattle and swine.
To act the part of a buccaneer; to live as a piratical adventurer or sea robber.
Difficulty: 18.61
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20468
No
less
industrious
in
their
pursuit
of
a
deal
with
the
camarilla
of
generals
were
the
illegals—the
black
marketeers,
gunrunners,
freebooters,
and
mercenaries.
543
equable
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Equal and uniform; continuing the same at different times; -- said of motion, and the like; uniform in surface; smooth; as, an equable plain or globe. 2. Uniform in action or intensity; not variable or changing; -- said of the feelings or temper.
Difficulty: 18.61
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21470
The
impact
of
those
tender,
viridescent
carpets
between
the
endlessly
undulating
crocodile’s
back
of
naked
stone
mountains
was
far
greater
than
it
might’ve
been
in
a
more
fertile
and
equable
landscape.
544
reductionist
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.61
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21650
‘But
where
does
this
life
characteristic
come
from?’
I
insisted,
sure
that
I
had
him
trapped
in
a
reductionist
dead-end
at
last.
545
ubiquity
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Existence everywhere, or in places, at the same time; omnipresence; as, the ubiquity of God is not disputed by those who admit his existence. The arms of Rome . . . were impeded by . . . the wide spaces to be traversed and the ubiquity of the enemy. C. Merivale. 2. (Theol.) The doctrine, as formulated by Luther, that Christ's glorified body is omnipresent.
"omnipresence": Presence in every place at the same time; unbounded or universal presence; ubiquity. His omnipresence fills Land, sea, and air, and every kind that lives. Milton.
"omnipresent": Present in all places at the same time; ubiquitous; as, the omnipresent Jehovah. Prior.
Difficulty: 18.55
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 115
The
slums
went
on,
and
their
sheer
ubiquity
wore
down
my
foreigner’s
pieties.
546
somnolent
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Sleepy; drowsy; inclined to sleep. -- Som"no*lent*ly, adv. He had no eye for such phenomens, because he had a somnolent want of interest in them. De Quincey.
Difficulty: 18.55
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12012
She
was
a
junkie,
and
she
was
stoned
almost
to
sleep,
but
there
was
a
numb,
somnolent
panic
in
her
pleading.
547
voluble
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Easily rolling or turning; easily set in motion; apt to roll; rotating; as, voluble particles of matter. 2. Moving with ease and smoothness in uttering words; of rapid speech; nimble in speaking; glib; as, a flippant, voluble, tongue. [Cassio,] a knave very voluble. Shak. Note: Voluble was used formerly to indicate readiness of speech merely, without any derogatory suggestion. "A grave and voluble eloquence." Bp. Hacket. 3. Changeable; unstable; fickle. [Obs.] 4. (Bot.) Having the power or habit of turning or twining; as, the voluble stem of hop plants. Voluble stem (Bot.), a stem that climbs by winding, or twining, round another body. -- Vol"u*ble*ness, n. -- Vol"u*bly, adv.
"twining": Winding around something; twisting; embracing; climbing by winding about a support; as, the hop is a twinning plant.
The act of one who, or that which, twines; (Bot.) the act of climbing spirally.
"changeable": 1. Capable of change; subject to alteration; mutable; variable; fickle; inconstant; as, a changeable humor. 2. Appearing different, as in color, in different lights, or under different circumstances; as, changeable silk. Syn. -- Mutable; alterable; variable; inconstant; fitful; vacillating; capricious; fickle; unstable; unsteady; unsettled; wavering; erratic; giddy; volatile.
"smoothness": Quality or state of being smooth.
Difficulty: 18.55
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26562
As
I
listened
to
him,
as
I
reoriented
myself
to
the
disfigured,
voluble
version
of
the
man,
I
became
aware
of
the
melodies
that
his
Spanish
accent
made
as
it
moved
fluently
between
Hindi
and
English,
mixing
the
two
seamlessly,
and
incorporating
words
from
each
into
a
hybrid
language
that
was
his
own.
548
amiability
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The quality of being amiable; amiableness; sweetness of disposition. Every excellency is a degree of amiability. Jer. Taylor.
"amiableness": The quality of being amiable; amiability.
Difficulty: 18.49
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 321
He
spoke
with
deferential
amiability
to
the
two
Canadians.
549
incandescence
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A white heat, or the glowing or luminous whiteness of a body caused by intense heat.
"whiteness": 1. The quality or state of being white; white color, or freedom from darkness or obscurity on the surface. Chaucer. 2. Want of a sanguineous tinge; paleness; as from terror, grief, etc. "The whiteness in thy cheek." Shak. 3. Freedom from stain or blemish; purity; cleanness. He had kept The whiteness of his soul, and thus men o'er him wept. Byron. 4. Nakedness. [Obs.] Chapman. 5. (Zoöl.) A flock of swans.
Difficulty: 18.49
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3873
When
he
looked
away
again,
it
was
as
if
the
room
had
darkened,
and
she
understood
that
she’d
begun
to
love
him
for
the
reassuring
incandescence
of
his
smile
alone.
550
hutment
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.49
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7546
‘Then
all
this
will
be
gone?’
Karla
asked,
turning
to
sweep
the
hutment
city
with
her
gaze.
551
pentagonal
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Having five corners or angles. Pentagonal dodecahedron. See Dodecahedron, and Pyritohedron.
"dodecahedron": A solid having twelve faces. Note: The regular dodecahedron is bounded by twelve equal and regular pentagons; the pyritohedron (see Pyritohedron) is related to it; the rhombic dodecahedron is bounded by twelve equal rhombic faces.
"pyritohedron": The pentagonal dodecahedron, a common form of pyrite.
Difficulty: 18.49
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8728
The
floor
was
surfaced
with
smooth,
cream,
pentagonal
tiles.
552
matkas
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.49
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 10354
There
was
an
oil
painting
of
women
carrying
water
from
a
river,
with
matkas
balanced
on
their
heads,
and
children
following
with
smaller
pots
on
their
own
heads.
553
thickset
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Close planted; as, a thickset wood; a thickset hedge. Dryden. 2. Having a short, thick body; stout.
1. A close or thick hedge. 2. A stout, twilled cotton cloth; a fustian corduroy, or velveteen. McElrath.
"fustian": 1. A kind of coarse twilled cotton or cotton and linen stuff, including corduroy, velveteen, etc. 2. An inflated style of writing; a kind of writing in which high- sounding words are used,' above the dignity of the thoughts or subject; bombast. Claudius . . . has run his description into the most wretched fustian. Addison.
1. Made of fustian. 2. Pompous; ridiculously tumid; inflated; bombastic; as, fustian history. Walpole.
"velveteen": A kind of cloth, usually cotton, made in imitation of velvet; cotton velvet.
Difficulty: 18.49
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20184
The
thickset
Afghan
cupped
his
hands
to
boost
me
onto
the
gelding’s
back,
nodding
his
head
for
me
to
climb
up,
and
winking
encouragingly.
554
interweavings
prev
next
Definition (interweave)
Definition (interweave)
1. To weave together; to intermix or unite in texture or construction; to intertwine; as, threads of silk and cotton interwoven. Under the hospitable covert nigh Of trees thick interwoven. Milton. 2. To intermingle; to unite intimately; to connect closely; as, to interweave truth with falsehood. Dryden. Words interwove with sighs found out their way. Milton.
"interwoven": imp. & p. p. of Interweave.
"intermix": To mix together; to intermingle. In yonder spring of roses, intermixed With myrtle, find what to redress till noon. Milton.
To be mixed together; to be intermingled.
"intermingle": To mingle or mix together; to intermix. Hooker.
To be mixed or incorporated. Party and faction will intermingle. Swift.
"interwove": imp. & p. p. of Interweave.
"intertwine": To unite by twining one with another; to entangle; to interlace. Milton.
To be twined or twisted together; to become mutually involved or enfolded.
The act intertwining, or the state of being intertwined. Coleridge.
Difficulty: 18.49
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21451
There
were
silks
in
peacock
blue
and
green,
with
rich
interweavings
of
gold
thread.
555
puckish
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Resembling Puck; merry; mischievous. "Puckish freaks." J. R. Green.
Difficulty: 18.49
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 22901
His
ears
were
slightly
pointed—an
effect
that
was
exaggerated
against
the
white
turban—and
that
puckish
touch
combined
with
his
wide
mouth
to
hint
at
the
cheeky
humour
that
once
might’ve
been
his.
556
syzygies
prev
next
Definition (syzygy)
Definition (syzygy)
1. (Astron.) The point of an orbit, as of the moon or a planet, at which it is in conjunction or opposition; -- commonly used in the plural. 2. (Gr. & L. Pros.) The coupling together of different feet; as, in Greek verse, an iambic syzygy. 3. (Zoöl.) (a) Any one of the segments of an arm of a crinoid composed of two joints so closely united that the line of union is obliterated on the outer, though visible on the inner, side. (b) The immovable union of two joints of a crinoidal arm. Line of syzygies (Astron.), the straight line connecting the earth, the sun, and the moon or a planet, when the latter is in conjunction or opposition; -- used chiefly of the moon.
"iambic": 1. (Pros.) Consisting of a short syllable followed by a long one, or of an unaccented syllable followed by an accented; as, an iambic foot. 2. Pertaining to, or composed of, iambics; as, an iambic verse; iambic meter. See Lambus.
1. (Pros.) (a) An iambic foot; an iambus. (b) A verse composed of iambic feet. Note: The following couplet consists of iambic verses. Thy gen- | ius calls | thee not | to pur- | chase fame In keen | iam- | bics, but | mild an- | agram. Dryden. 2. A satirical poem (such poems having been anciently written in iambic verse); a satire; a lampoon.
"crinoidal": Of pertaining to crinoids; consisting of, or containing, crinoids.
"immovable": 1. Incapable of being moved; firmly fixed; fast; -- used of material things; as, an immovable foundatin. Immovable, infixed, and frozen round. Milton. 2. Steadfast; fixed; unalterable; unchangeable; -- used of the mind or will; as, an immovable purpose, or a man who remain immovable. 3. Not capable of being affected or moved in feeling or by sympathy; unimpressible; impassive. Dryden. 4. (Law.) Not liable to be removed; permanent in place or tenure; fixed; as, an immovable estate. See Immovable, n. Blackstone. Immovable apparatus (Med.), an appliance, like the plaster of paris bandage, which keeps fractured parts firmly in place. -- Immovable feasts (Eccl.), feasts which occur on a certain day of the year and do not depend on the date of Easter; as, Christmas, the Epiphany, etc.
1. That which can not be moved. 2. pl. (Civil Law) Lands and things adherent thereto by nature, as trees; by the hand of man, as buildings and their accessories; by their destination, as seeds, plants, manure, etc.; or by the objects to which they are applied, as servitudes. Ayliffe. Bouvier.
"crinoid": Crinoidal. -- n. One of the Crinoidea.
Difficulty: 18.49
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26840
That
convergence
of
interests
drove
more
than
a
few
producers
and
production
houses
into
strange
syzygies
with
gangsters:
films
about
mafia
goondas
were
financed
by
the
mafia,
and
the
profits
from
hit
movies
about
hit
men
went
into
new
crimes
and
real
hits
on
real
people,
which
in
turn
became
the
subjects
for
screenplays
and
new
films
financed
by
more
mafia
money.
557
miscellany
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A mass or mixture of various things; a medley; esp., a collection of compositions on various subjects. 'T is but a bundle or miscellany of sin; sins original, and sins actual. Hewyt. Miscellany madam, a woman who dealt in various fineries; a milliner. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
Miscellaneous; heterogeneous. [Obs.] Bacon.
"heterogeneous": Differing in kind; having unlike qualities; possessed of different characteristics; dissimilar; -- opposed to homogeneous, and said of two or more connected objects, or of a conglomerate mass, considered in respect to the parts of which it is made up. -- Het`er*o*ge"ne*ous*ly, adv. -- Het`er*o*ge"ne*ous*ness, n. Heterogeneous nouns (Gram.), nouns having different genders in the singular and plural numbers; as, hic locus, of the masculine gender in the singular, and hi loci and hæc loca, both masculine and neuter in the plural; hoc cælum, neuter in the singular; hi cæli, masculine in the plural. -- Heterogeneous quantities (Math.), such quantities as are incapable of being compared together in respect to magnitude, and surfaces and solids. -- Heterogeneous surds (Math.), surds having different radical signs.
"milliner": 1. Formerly, a man who imported and dealt in small articles of a miscellaneous kind, especially such as please the fancy of women. [Obs.] No milliner can so fit his customers with gloves. Shak. 2. A person, usually a woman, who makes, trims, or deals in hats, bonnets, headdresses, etc., for women. Man milliner, a man who makes or deals in millinery; hence, contemptuously, a man who is busied with trifling occupations or embellishments.
Difficulty: 18.44
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4254
Fierce
grimaces
disfigured
them
as
they
drank
the
foul-tasting,
homemade
alcohol,
and
they
followed
each
glass
with
a
miscellany
of
grunts,
groans,
and
gagging
sounds.
558
infinitude
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The quality or state of being infinite, or without limits; infiniteness. 2. Infinite extent; unlimited space; immensity; infinity. "I am who fill infinitude." Milton. As pleasing to the fancy, as speculations of eternity or infinitude are to the understanding. Addison. 3. Boundless number; countless multitude. "An infinitude of distinctions." Addison.
"immensity": The state or quality of being immense; inlimited or immeasurable extension; infinity; vastness in extent or bulk; greatness. Lost in the wilds of vast immensity. Blackmore. The immensity of the material system. I. Taylor.
"infiniteness": The state or quality of being infinite; infinity; greatness; immensity. Jer. Taylor.
Difficulty: 18.44
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4608
For
a
tiny
moment
in
the
infinitude
of
his
suffering
I
almost
felt
it,
what
the
human
will
can
drive
the
human
body
to
endure
and
achieve.
559
ammoniac
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Of or pertaining to ammonia, or possessing its properties; as, an ammoniac salt; ammoniacal gas. Ammoniacal engine, an engine in which the vapor of ammonia is used as the motive force. -- Sal ammoniac Etym: [L. sal ammoniacus], the salt usually called chloride of ammonium, and formerly muriate of ammonia.
The concrete juice (gum resin) of an umbelliferous plant, the Dorema ammoniacum. It is brought chiefly from Persia in the form of yellowish tears, which occur singly, or are aggregated into masses. It has a peculiar smell, and a nauseous, sweet taste, followed by a bitter one. It is inflammable, partially soluble in water and in spirit of wine, and is used in medicine as an expectorant and resolvent, and for the formation of certain plasters.
"ammoniacal": Of or pertaining to ammonia, or possessing its properties; as, an ammoniac salt; ammoniacal gas. Ammoniacal engine, an engine in which the vapor of ammonia is used as the motive force. -- Sal ammoniac Etym: [L. sal ammoniacus], the salt usually called chloride of ammonium, and formerly muriate of ammonia.
"umbelliferous": (a) Producing umbels. (b) Of or pertaining to a natural order (Umbelliferæ) of plants, of which the parsley, carrot, parsnip, and fennel are well-known examples.
"soluble": 1. Susceptible of being dissolved in a fluid; capable of solution; as, some substances are soluble in alcohol which are not soluble in water. Sugar is . . . soluble in water and fusible in fire. Arbuthnot. 2. Susceptible of being solved; as, a soluble algebraic problem; susceptible of being disentangled, unraveled, or explained; as, the mystery is perhaps soluble. "More soluble is this knot." Tennyson. 3. Relaxed; open or readily opened. [R.] "The bowels must be kept soluble." Dunglison. Soluble glass. (Chem.) See under Glass.
"inflammable": 1. Capable of being easily set fire; easily enkindled; combustible; as, inflammable oils or spirits. 2. Excitable; irritable; irascible; easily provoked; as, an inflammable temper. Inflammable air, the old chemical name for hydrogen.
"yellowish": Somewhat yellow; as, amber is of a yellowish color. -- Yel"low*ish*ness, n.
"singly": 1. Individually; particularly; severally; as, to make men singly and personally good. 2. Only; by one's self; alone. Look thee, 't is so! Thou singly honest man. Shak. 3. Without partners, companions, or associates; single-handed; as, to attack another singly. At omber singly to decide their doom. Pope. 4. Honestly; sincerely; simply. [R.] Johnson. 5. Singularly; peculiarly. [Obs.] Milton.
"resolvent": Having power to resolve; causing solution; solvent.
1. That which has the power of resolving, or causing solution; a solvent. 2. (Med.) That which has power to disperse inflammatory or other tumors; a discutient; anything which aids the absorption of effused products. Coxe. 3. (Math.) An equation upon whose solution the solution of a given pproblem depends.
"etym": See Etymon. H. F. Talbot.
"expectorant": Tending to facilitate expectoration or to promote discharges of mucus, etc., from the lungs or throat. -- n. An expectorant medicine.
"muriate": A salt of muriatic hydrochloric acid; a chloride; as, muriate of ammonia. Note: This term, as also the word muriatic, was formerly applied to the chlorides before their true composition was understood, and while they were erroneously supposed to be compounds of an acid with an oxide. Muriate and muriatic are still occasionally used as commercial terms, but are obsolete in scientific language.
Difficulty: 18.44
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7087
Beyond
that,
there
was
a
piercing
ammoniac
smell,
like
bone
being
cut
with
a
saw.
560
teakwood
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.44
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8394
We
climbed
the
wide
stairs
to
the
second
floor,
our
footsteps
swallowed
by
thick
carpet
and
heavy
teakwood
newels
and
handrails.
561
sibilants
prev
next
Definition (sibilant)
Definition (sibilant)
Making a hissing sound; uttered with a hissing sound; hissing; as, s, z, sh, and zh, are sibilant elementary sounds. -- n. A sibiliant letter.
Difficulty: 18.44
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8537
From
behind
the
grate,
the
smoky
voice
full
of
spitting
sibilants
and
crunching
words
continued.
562
vazan
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.44
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9023
The—how
do
you
say
it,
bhari
vazan?’
563
doorpost
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The jamb or sidepiece of a doorway.
"jamb": 1. (Arch) The vertical side of any opening, as a door or fireplace; hence, less properly, any narrow vertical surface of wall, as the of a chimney-breast or of a pier, as distinguished from its face. Gwilt. 2. (Mining) Any thick mass of rock which prevents miners from following the lode or vein.
See Jam, v. t.
"sidepiece": The jamb, or cheek, of an opening in a wall, as of door or window.
Difficulty: 18.44
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9804
The
third
was
drawn
by
the
desperate,
pugnacious
unhappiness
of
his
mouth,
the
upside-down
horseshoe
of
bad
luck
that
fate
had
nailed
to
the
doorpost
of
his
life.
564
venalities
prev
next
Definition (venality)
Definition (venality)
The quality or state of being venal, or purchasable; mercenariness; prostitution of talents, offices, or services, for money or reward; as, the venality of a corrupt court; the venality of an official. Complaints of Roman venality became louder. Milton.
"mercenariness": The quality or state of being mercenary; venality. Boyle.
"venal": Of or pertaining to veins; venous; as, venal blood. [R.]
Capable of being bought or obtained for money or other valuable consideration; made matter of trade or barter; held for sale; salable; mercenary; purchasable; hireling; as, venal services. " Paid court to venal beauties." Macaulay. The venal cry and prepared vote of a passive senate. Burke. Syn. -- Mercenary; hireling; vendible. -- Venal, Mercenary. One is mercenary who is either actually a hireling (as, mercenary soldiers, a mercenary judge, etc.), or is governed by a sordid love of gain; hence, we speak of mercenary motives, a mercenary marriage, etc. Venal goes further, and supposes either an actual purchase, or a readiness to be purchased, which places a person or thing wholly in the power of the purchaser; as, a venal press. Brissot played ingeniously on the latter word in his celebrated saying, " My pen is venal that it may not be mercenary," meaning that he wrote books, and sold them to the publishers, in order to avoid the necessity of being the hireling of any political party. Thus needy wits a vile revenue made, And verse became a mercenary trade. Dryden. This verse be thine, my friend, nor thou refuse This, from no venal or ungrateful muse. Pope.
"purchasable": Capable of being bought, purchased, or obtained for a consideration; hence, venal; corrupt. Money being the counterbalance to all things purchasable by it, as much as you take off from the value of money, so much you add to the price of things exchanged. Locke.
Difficulty: 18.44
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 14558
They
began
with
bribery,
in
a
schedule
of
venalities
ranging
from
insider
trading
to
the
securing
of
profitable
tenders.
565
venturesome
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Inclined to venture; not loth to run risk or danger; venturous; bold; daring; adventurous; as, a venturesome boy or act. -- Ven"ture*some*ly, adv. -- Ven"ture*some*ness, n.
"loth": See Loath, Loathly, etc.
"venturous": Daring; bold; hardy; fearless; venturesome; adveturous; as, a venturous soldier. Spenser. This said, he paused not, but with venturous arm He plucked, he tasted. Milton. -- Ven"tur*ous*ly, adv. -- Ven"tur*ous*ness, n.
Difficulty: 18.44
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20489
I
encountered
the
story
of
the
venturesome
German
and
his
truck
full
of
alpine
uniforms
in
three
slightly
different
incarnations
during
the
course
of
the
afternoon.
566
sibilant
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Making a hissing sound; uttered with a hissing sound; hissing; as, s, z, sh, and zh, are sibilant elementary sounds. -- n. A sibiliant letter.
Difficulty: 18.44
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20633
I
listened
to
the
smooth,
swiftly
flowing
syllables
and
I
let
my
thoughts
drift
on
that
sibilant
music.
567
scabrous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Rough to the touch, like a file; having small raised dots, scales, or points; scabby; scurfy; scaly. Arbuthnot. 2. Fig.: Harsh; unmusical. [R.] His verse is scabrous and hobbling. Dryden.
"scurfy": Having or producing scurf; covered with scurf; resembling scurf.
Difficulty: 18.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1816
It
was
a
wizened
and
scabrous
specimen
with
one
ear
chewed
to
the
shape
of
a
rosebud,
and
bare
patches
on
its
sides
and
back
where
unhealed
sores
were
exposed.
568
bhindi
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2034
What
is
phul
gobhi
and
bhindi?’
569
expostulating
prev
next
Definition (expostulate)
Definition (expostulate)
To reason earnestly with a person on some impropriety of his conduct, representing the wrong he has done or intends, and urging him to make redress or to desist; to remonstrate; -- followed by with. Men expostulate with erring friends; they bring accusations against enemies who have done them a wrong. Jowett (Thuc. ). Syn. -- To remonstrate; reason. See Remonstrate.
To discuss; to examine. [Obs.] To expostulate What majesty should be, what duty is. Shak.
"remonstrate": To point out; to show clearly; to make plain or manifest; hence, to prove; to demonstrate. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor. I will remonstrate to you the third door. B. Jonson.
To present and urge reasons in opposition to an act, measure, or any course of proceedings; to expostulate; as, to remonstrate with a person regarding his habits; to remonstrate against proposed taxation. It is proper business of a divine to state cases of conscience, and to remonstrate against any growing corruptions in practice, and especially in principles. Waterland. Syn. -- Expostulate, Remonstrate. These words are commonly interchangeable, the principal difference being that expostulate is now used especially to signify remonstrance by a superior or by one in authority. A son remonstrates against the harshness of a father; a father expostulates with his son on his waywardness. Subjects remonstrate with their rulers; sovereigns expostulate with the parliament or the people.
Difficulty: 18.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2582
Didier
had
been
eating
and
drinking
and
expostulating
at
Leopold’s
for
nine
years.
570
moustachioed
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9603
At
last
he
arrived
at
an
agreed
sum—two
hundred
rupees,
about
twelve
American
dollars—and
the
moustachioed
watchman
unlocked
the
gate
for
the
bear-handlers
while
I
handed
over
the
bundle
of
notes.
571
situps
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20197
I
followed
the
push-ups
every
day
with
five
hundred
situps,
a
five-kilometre
run,
and
a
forty-minute
swim
in
the
sea.
572
cheongsam
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24600
She
was
dressed
in
a
green
silk
cheongsam.
573
outfall
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The mouth of a river; the lower end of a water course; the open end of a drain, culvert, etc., where the discharge occurs. 2. A quarrel; a falling out. [Prov. Eng.]
"culvert": A transverse drain or waterway of masonry under a road, railroad, canal, etc.; a small bridge.
Difficulty: 18.34
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6283
At
other
times
they
set
up
their
camp
on
a
swampy
patch
of
vacant
land
or
some
outfall
for
industrial
waste.
574
aridity
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The state or quality of being arid or without moisture; dryness. 2. Fig.: Want of interest of feeling; insensibility; dryness of style or feeling; spiritual drought. Norris.
"dryness": The state of being dry. See Dry.
"insensibility": 1. The state or quality of being insensible; want of sensibility; torpor; unconsciousness; as, the insensibility produced by a fall, or by opiates. 2. Want of tenderness or susceptibility of emotion or passion; dullness; stupidity. Syn. -- Dullness; numbness; unfeelingness; stupidity; torpor; apathy; impassiveness; indifference.
Difficulty: 18.34
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6291
Within
was
the
aridity
of
function
and
systems.
575
havaldar
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.34
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9433
Prabaker
spoke
quietly
to
a
havaldar,
or
police
constable,
at
the
foot
of
a
long
flight
of
metal
stairs.
576
impracticable
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Not practicable; incapable of being performed, or accomplished by the means employed, or at command; impossible; as, an impracticable undertaking. 2. Not to be overcome, presuaded, or controlled by any reasonable method; unmanageable; intractable; not capable of being easily dealt with; -- used in a general sense, as applied to a person or thing that is difficult to control or get along with. This though, impracticable heart Is governed by a dainty-fingered girl. Rowe. Patriotic butloyal men went away disguested afresh with the impracticable arrogance of a sovereign. Palfrey. 3. Incapable of being used or availed of; as, an impracticable road; an impracticable method. Syn. -- Impossible; infeasible. -- Impracticable, Impossible. A thing is impracticable when it can not be accomplished by any human means at present possessed; a thing is impossible when the laws of nature forbid it. The navigation of a river may now be impracticable, but not impossible, because the existing obstructions may yet be removed. "The barons exercised the most despotic authority over their vassals, and every scheme of public utility was rendered impracticable by their continued petty wars with each other." Mickle. "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matt. xix. 26.
"practicable": 1. That may be practiced or performed; capable of being done or accomplished with available means or resources; feasible; as, a practicable method; a practicable aim; a practicable good. 2. Capable of being used; passable; as, a practicable weapon; a practicable road. Practicable breach (Mil.), a breach which admits of approach and entrance by an assailing party. Syn. -- Possible; feasible. -- Practicable, Possible. A thing may be possible, i. e., not forbidden by any law of nature, and yet may not now be practicable for want of the means requisite to its performance. -- Prac"ti*ca*ble*ness, n. -- Prac"ti*ca*bly, adv.
"despotic": Having the character of, or pertaining to, a despot; absolute in power; possessing and abusing unlimited power; evincing despotism; tyrannical; arbitrary. -- Des*pot"ic*al*ly, adv. -- Des*pot"ic*al*ness, n.
"infeasible": Not capable of being done or accomplished; impracticable. Glanvill.
"intractable": Not tractable; not easily governed, managed, or directed; indisposed to be taught, disciplined, or tamed; violent; stubborn; obstinate; refractory; as, an intractable child. Syn. -- Stubborn; perverse; obstinate; refractory; cross; unmanageable; unruly; headstrong; violent; ungovernable; unteachable. -- In*tract"a*ble*ness, n. -- In*tract"a*bly, adv.
"palfrey": 1. A saddle horse for the road, or for state occasions, as distinguished from a war horse. Chaucer. 2. A small saddle horse for ladies. Spenser. Call the host and bid him bring Charger and palfrey. Tennyson.
"mickle": Much; great. [Written also muckle and mockle.] [Old Eng. & Scot.] "A man of mickle might." Spenser.
Difficulty: 18.34
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17448
But
they
couldn’t
obtain
the
visas
legally,
and
false
visas
were
impracticable
because
they
were
immediately
checked
against
the
consular
register.
577
kaise
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.29
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9696
Aap
kaise
hain?’
And
with
you
be
peace.
578
ontology
prev
next
Definition
Definition
That department of the science of metaphysics which investigates and explains the nature and essential properties and relations of all beings, as such, or the principles and causes of being.
"metaphysics": 1. The science of real as distinguished from phenomenal being; ontology; also, the science of being, with reference to its abstract and universal conditions, as distinguished from the science of determined or concrete being; the science of the conceptions and relations which are necessarily implied as true of every kind of being; phylosophy in general; first principles, or the science of first principles. Note: Metaphysics is distinguished as general and special. General metaphysics is the science of all being as being. Special metaphysics is the science of one kind of being; as, the metaphysics of chemistry, of morals, or of politics. According to Kant, a systematic exposition of those notions and truths, the knowledge of which is altogether independent of experience, would constitute the science of metaphysics. Commonly, in the schools, called metaphysics, as being part of the philosophy of Aristotle, which hath that for title; but it is in another sense: for there it signifieth as much as "books written or placed after his natural philosophy." But the schools take them for "books of supernatural philosophy;" for the word metaphysic will bear both these senses. Hobbes. Now the science conversant about all such inferences of unknown being from its known manifestations, is called ontology, or metaphysics proper. Sir W. Hamilton. Metaphysics are [is] the science which determines what can and what can not be known of being, and the laws of being, a priori. Coleridge. 2. Hence: The scientific knowledge of mental phenomena; mental philosophy; psychology. Metaphysics, in whatever latitude the term be taken, is a science or complement of sciences exclusively occupied with mind. Sir W. Hamilton. Whether, after all, A larger metaphysics might not help Our physics. Mrs. Browning.
Difficulty: 18.29
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13588
‘You’ve
put
a
lot
of
thought
into
this,’
I
commented,
laughing,
but
impressed
and
genuinely
glad
that
he
wanted
to
give
me
the
ontology
of
currency
crime,
and
not
just
the
ways
I
could
go
about
committing
it.
579
rheumy
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Of or pertaining to rheum; abounding in, or causing, rheum; affected with rheum. His head and rheumy eyes distill in showers. Dryden. And tempt the rheumy and unpurged air To add unto his sickness. Shak.
"distill": 1. To drop; to fall in drops; to trickle. Soft showers distilled, and suns grew warm in vain. Pope. 2. To flow gently, or in a small stream. The Euphrates distilleth out of the mountains of Armenia. Sir W. Raleigh. 3. To practice the art of distillation. Shak.
1. To let fall or send down in drops. Or o'er the glebe distill the kindly rain. Pope. The dew which on the tender grass The evening had distilled. Drayton. 2. To obtain by distillation; to extract by distillation, as spirits, essential oil, etc.; to rectify; as, to distill brandy from wine; to distill alcoholic spirits from grain; to distill essential oils from flowers, etc.; to distill fresh water from sea water. "Distilling odors on me." Tennyson. 3. To subject to distillation; as, to distill molasses in making rum; to distill barley, rye, corn, etc. 4. To dissolve or melt. [R.] Swords by the lightning's subtle force distilled. Addison.
Difficulty: 18.29
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 14822
Although
he
commanded
a
large
number
of
strong
men,
and
could
be
ruthless
with
them
when
it
was
required,
his
rheumy
eyes
only
ever
showed
me
kindness.
580
apparatchiks
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.29
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17422
Every
passport
bought
by
one
of
the
war-lords
or
their
apparatchiks
bought
fifty
more
books,
identity
cards,
or
travel
documents
for
Iranian
and
Afghan
refugees.
581
acclimatised
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.29
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18231
Like
the
rest
of
us,
he
was
acclimatised
to
Bombay’s
heat,
and
he
wore
a
heavy
serge
jacket
and
bottle-green
jeans
with
no
trace
of
discomfort.
582
technicoloured
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.29
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20492
Vexed
and
gloomy
with
squalling
emotions
I
entered
the
Faloodah
House
in
the
Bohri
bazaar,
and
ordered
one
of
the
sweet,
technicoloured
drinks.
583
acclimatising
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.29
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20870
And
so
it
was
that
I
rode
during
the
day,
acclimatising
myself
to
the
thinner
air
above
five
thousand
feet,
and
at
night
read
the
diaries
and
journals
of
long-dead
explorers,
extinct
editions
of
Greek
classics,
eccentrically
annotated
volumes
of
Shakespeare,
and
a
dizzyingly
passionate
terza
rima
translation
of
Dante’s
The
Divine
Comedy.
584
forded
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.29
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21438
We
forded
rivers
between
Loe
Kaarez
and
Yaaru.
585
yardman
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.29
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24907
They
seized
the
cook,
the
yardman,
Abdul’s
two
servants,
and
the
Sri
Lankan
counterfeiters,
Villu
and
Krishna,
and
locked
them
in
a
small
room
in
the
basement.
586
careworn
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Worn or burdened with care; as, careworn look or face.
Difficulty: 18.24
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1189
Didier
Levy
was
only
thirty-five
years
old,
but
those
years
were
stitched
to
him
in
lumpy
wads
of
flesh
and
deep
lines
that
gave
him
the
plump
and
careworn
look
of
a
much
older
man.
587
curlicue
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.24
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2024
‘Just
a
second.’
I
hesitated,
peering
out
of
the
half-open
window
of
the
taxi
and
trying
to
read
the
curlicue
numbers
on
the
front
of
a
red,
double-decker
bus
that
had
stopped
opposite
us
momentarily.
588
hatband
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A band round the crown of a hat; sometimes, a band of black cloth, crape, etc., worn as a badge of mourning.
"crape": A thin, crimped stuff, made of raw silk gummed and twisted on the mill. Black crape is much used for mourning garments, also for the dress of some clergymen. A saint in crape is twice a saint in lawn. Pope. Crape myrtle (Bot.), a very ornamental shrub (Lagerströmia Indica) from the East Indies, often planted in the Southern United States. Its foliage is like that of the myrtle, and the flower has wavy crisped petals. -- Oriental crape. See Canton crape.
To form into ringlets; to curl; to crimp; to friz; as, to crape the hair; to crape silk. The hour for curling and craping the hair. Mad. D'Arblay.
Difficulty: 18.24
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2747
His
bolo
tie,
dollar-coin
belt,
and
hatband
were
all
in
silver.
589
predominated
prev
next
Definition (predominate)
Definition (predominate)
To be superior in number, strength, influence, or authority; to have controlling power or influence; to prevail; to rule; to have the mastery; as, love predominated in her heart. [Certain] rays may predominate over the rest. Sir. I. Newton.
To rule over; to overpower. [R.]
Difficulty: 18.24
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4755
Smells
of
spices,
cooking,
and
incense
predominated.
590
straggly
prev
next
Definition (straggle)
Definition (straggle)
1. To wander from the direct course or way; to rove; to stray; to wander from the line of march or desert the line of battle; as, when troops are on the march, the men should not straggle. Dryden. 2. To wander at large; to roam idly about; to ramble. The wolf spied out a straggling kid. L'Estrange. 3. To escape or stretch beyond proper limits, as the branches of a plant; to spread widely apart; to shoot too far or widely in growth. Trim off the small, superfluous branches on each side of the hedge that straggle too far out. Mortimer. 4. To be dispersed or separated; to occur at intervals. "Straggling pistol shots." Sir W. Scott. They came between Scylla and Charybdis and the straggling rocks. Sir W. Raleigh.
The act of straggling. [R.] Carlyle.
"straggling": from Straggle, v.
"charybdis": A dangerous whirlpool on the coast of Sicily opposite Scylla on the Italian coast. It is personified as a female monster. See Scylla.
Difficulty: 18.24
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4796
A
straggly
beard
dangled
from
his
pointed
chin.
591
curlicues
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.24
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8362
The
street
windows
were
barred
with
wrought-iron
curlicues
beaten
into
the
shape
of
acanthus
leaves.
592
newels
prev
next
Definition (newel)
Definition (newel)
A novelty; a new thing. [Obs.] Spenser.
The upright post about which the steps of a circular staircase wind; hence, in stairs having straight flights, the principal post at the foot of a staircase, or the secondary ones at the landings. See Hollow newel, under Hollow.
Difficulty: 18.24
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8394
We
climbed
the
wide
stairs
to
the
second
floor,
our
footsteps
swallowed
by
thick
carpet
and
heavy
teakwood
newels
and
handrails.
593
gibbous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Swelling by a regular curve or surface; protuberant; convex; as, the moon is gibbous between the half-moon and the full moon. The bones will rise, and make a gibbous member. Wiseman. 2. Hunched; hump-backed. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne. -- Gib"bous*ly, adv. -- Gib"bous*ness, n.
"gib": A male cat; a tomcat. [Obs.]
To act like a cat. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.
A piece or slip of metal or wood, notched or otherwise, in a machine or structure, to hold other parts in place or bind them together, or to afford a bearing surface; -- usually held or adjusted by means of a wedge, key, or screw. Gib and key, or Gib and cotter (Steam Engine), the fixed wedge or gib, and the driving wedge,key, or cotter, used for tightening the strap which holds the brasses at the end of a connecting rod.
To secure or fasten with a gib, or gibs; to provide with a gib, or gibs. Gibbed lathe, an engine lathe in which the tool carriage is held down to the bed by a gib instead of by a weight.
To balk. See Jib, v. i. Youatt.
"convex": Rising or swelling into a spherical or rounded form; regularly protuberant or bulging; -- said of a spherical surface or curved line when viewed from without, in opposition to concave. Drops of water naturally form themselves into figures with a convex surface. Whewell. Double convex, convex on both sides; convexo-convex.
A convex body or surface. Half heaven's convex glitters with the flame. Tickell. Note: This word was often pronounced con-vex' by early writers, as by Milton, and occasionallyby later poets.
"protuberant": Prominent, or excessively prominent; bulging beyond the surrounding or adjacent surface; swelling; as, a protuberant joint; a protuberant eye. -- Pro*tu"ber*ant*ly, adv.
Difficulty: 18.24
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15116
AT
MIDNIGHT’S
HORIZON
the
great
milky
wheel
of
stars
rose
wet
and
shivering
from
the
waves,
and
the
silver
yellow
light
of
a
gibbous
moon
settled
on
the
sea,
glistening
the
tinsel-crested
swell.
594
glissades
prev
next
Definition (glissade)
Definition (glissade)
A sliding, as down a snow slope in the Alps. Tyndall.
Difficulty: 18.24
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 25581
Tourist
ferries
bound
for
the
caves
on
Elephanta
Island,
or
returning
to
shore,
rose
up
the
wavelets
and
rolled
over
them
in
proud,
practised
glissades.
595
kutta
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.24
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27361
‘Arrey,
kutta
nahin,’
I
said.
596
palmists
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.20
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 541
There
were
beggars
and
jugglers
and
acrobats,
snake
charmers
and
musicians
and
astrologers,
palmists
and
pimps
and
pushers.
597
secessionist
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. One who upholds secession. 2. (U.S. Hist.) One who holds to the belief that a State has the right to separate from the Union at its will.
"hist": Hush; be silent; -- a signal for silence. Milton.
"secession": 1. The act of seceding; separation from fellowship or association with others, as in a religious or political organization; withdrawal. 2. (U.S. Hist.) The withdrawal of a State from the national Union. Secession Church (in Scotland). See Seceder.
Difficulty: 18.20
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2482
They’d
come
from
the
cyclone
in
West
Bengal,
the
drought
in
Orissa,
the
cholera
epidemic
in
Haryana,
the
secessionist
fighting
in
Punjab.
598
oilskin
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Cloth made waterproof by oil.
Difficulty: 18.20
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11947
Shantu
gave
me
the
oilskin
cape
he
used
to
keep
himself
dry
with
whenever
the
taxi
broke
down,
and
the
weathered
black
chauffeur’s
cap
that
was
his
good-luck
charm.
599
decolletage
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The upper border or part of a décolleté corsage.
Difficulty: 18.20
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17165
The
single-breasted
jacket
descended
to
a
deep
decolletage,
and
it
was
obvious
that
she
was
wearing
nothing
under
the
jacket.
600
brinkmanship
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.20
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20619
The
Americans
hated
it,
because
of
the
cold
war
and
all
that
brinkmanship
crap,
so
they
destabilised
the
place
by
supporting
the
only
guys
who
were
really
pissed
off
with
the
Russian
puppets—the
religious
mullah-types.
601
vacillate
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. To move one way and the other; to reel or stagger; to waver. [A spheroid] is always liable to shift and vacillatefrom one axis to another. Paley. 2. To fluctuate in mind or opinion; to be unsteady or inconstant; to waver. Syn. -- See Fluctuate.
"inconstant": Not constant; not stable or uniform; subject to change of character, appearance, opinion, inclination, or purpose, etc.; not firm; unsteady; fickle; changeable; variable; -- said of persons or things; as, inconstant in love or friendship. "The inconstant moon." Shak. While we, inquiring phantoms of a day, Inconstant as the shadows we survey! Boyse. Syn. -- Mutable; fickle; volatile; unsteady; unstable; changeable; variable; wavering; fluctuating.
"fluctuate": 1. To move as a wave; to roll hither and thither; to wave; to float backward and forward, as on waves; as, a fluctuating field of air. Blackmore. 2. To move now in one direction and now in another; to be wavering or unsteady; to be irresolute or undetermined; to vacillate. Syn. -- To waver; vacillate; hesitate; scruple. -- To Fluctuate, Vacillate, Waver. -- Fluctuate is applied both to things and persons and denotes that they move as they are acted upon. The stocks fluctuate; a man fluctuates. between conflicting influences. Vacillate and waver are applied to persons to represent them as acting themselves. A man vacillates when he goes backward and forward in his opinions and purposes, without any fixity of mind or principles. A man wavers when he shrinks back or hesitates at the approach of difficulty or danger. One who is fluctuating in his feelings is usually vacillating in resolve, and wavering in execution.
To cause to move as a wave; to put in motion. [R.] And fluctuate all the still perfume. Tennyson.
"spheroid": A body or figure approaching to a sphere, but not perfectly spherical; esp., a solid generated by the revolution of an ellipse about one of its axes. Oblate spheroid, Prolate spheroid. See Oblate, Prolate, and Ellipsoid.
Difficulty: 18.20
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20850
Toward
the
end
of
1985,
as
we
prepared
ourselves
in
Quetta
for
the
crossing
into
Afghanistan,
Asmatullah
began
to
vacillate
in
his
commitment
to
the
war.
602
infrangible
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Not capable of being broken or separated into parts; as, infrangible atoms. [He] link'd their fetlocks with a golden band Infrangible. Pope. 2. Not to be infringed or violated.
Difficulty: 18.20
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 25251
For
them,
the
mafia
was
a
family,
an
infrangible
bond
that
held
them
from
minute
to
minute
and
all
the
way
to
the
dying
breath.
603
handwoven
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.16
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3322
A
range
of
products,
from
pottery
to
clothing
to
handwoven
tatami
mats,
was
arriving
at
the
station
for
dispatch
to
the
cities.
604
upraised
prev
next
Definition (upraise)
Definition (upraise)
To raise; to lift up.
Difficulty: 18.16
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 19399
I
floated,
upraised
on
the
supernatant
liquid
of
the
smack
in
the
spoon,
and
the
spoon
was
as
big
as
a
room.
605
crudity
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The condition of being crude; rawness. 2. That which is in a crude or undigested state; hence, superficial, undigested views, not reduced to order or form. "Cridities in the stomach." Arbuthnot.
"rawness": The quality or state of being raw.
Difficulty: 18.16
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20334
I
taunted
him
often
about
the
crudity
of
his
English,
exaggerating
my
confusion
and
demanding
that
he
repeat
himself,
that
he
stumble
from
one
cryptic
phrase
to
another
until
he
cursed
me
in
Urdu
and
Pashto,
and
withdrew
into
silence.
606
vertiginous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Turning round; whirling; rotary; revolving; as, vertiginous motion. Some vertiginous whirl of fortune. De Quincey. 2. Affected with vertigo; giddy; dizzy. They [the angels] grew vertiginous, and fell from the battlements of heaven. Jer. Taylor. -- Ver*tig"i*nous*ly, adv. -- Ver*tig"i*nous*ness, n.
Difficulty: 18.12
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3366
Given
the
narrow
road,
the
precipitous
fall
on
the
low
side,
the
frequent
columns
of
people
and
animals
that
lined
the
high
side,
the
titanic
mass
of
our
swaying
ark
of
a
bus,
and
the
vertiginous
hostility
with
which
the
driver
negotiated
every
curve,
the
speed
was
sufficient
to
relieve
me
of
the
need
to
sleep
or
relax
on
the
ride.
607
weatherproofing
prev
next
Definition (weatherproof)
Definition (weatherproof)
Proof against rough weather.
Difficulty: 18.12
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6530
All
manner
of
things
that
might
be
used
as
weatherproofing
materials
began
to
vanish
from
the
vicinity
of
the
slum.
608
kaleidoscopic
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Of, pertaining to, or formed by, a kaleidoscope; variegated.
"variegated": Having marks or patches of different colors; as, variegated leaves, or flowers. Ladies like variegated tulips show. Pope.
Difficulty: 18.12
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17135
Some
foreigners
I’d
dealt
with
had
told
me
that
they
loathed
the
kaleidoscopic
turmoil
of
musical
numbers,
bursting
stochastically
between
weeping
mothers,
sighing
infatuates,
and
brawling
villains.
609
vaporous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Having the form or nature of vapor. Holland. 2. Full of vapors or exhalations. Shak. The warmer and more vaporous air of the valleys. Derham. 3. Producing vapors; hence, windy; flatulent. Bacon. The food which is most vaporous and perspirable is the most easily digested. Arbuthnot. 4. Unreal; unsubstantial; vain; whimsical. Such vaporous speculations were inevitable. Carlyle.
"flatulent": 1. Affected with flatus or gases generated in the alimentary canal; windy. 2. Generating, or tending to generate, wind in the stomach. Vegetables abound more with aërial particles than animal substances, and therefore are more flatulent. Arbuthnot. 3. Turgid with flatus; as, a flatulent tumor. Quincy. 4. Pretentious without substance or reality; puffy; empty; vain; as, a flatulent vanity. He is too flatulent sometimes, and sometimes too dry. Dryden.
"unsubstantial": Lacking in matter or substance; visionary; chimerical.
"perspirable": 1. Capable of being perspired. Sir T. Browne. 2. Emitting perspiration; perspiring. [R.] Bacon.
Difficulty: 18.12
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18474
Then
a
vision
of
Modena’s
face
flowed
from
the
flickering
lanterns
and
vaporous
wreaths
of
smoke,
and
faded
again
to
nothing
before
it
was
fully
formed.
610
mantraps
prev
next
Definition (mantrap)
Definition (mantrap)
1. A trap for catching trespassers. [Eng.] 2. A dangerous place, as an open hatch, into which one may fall.
Difficulty: 18.12
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21404
‘He
keeps
setting
mantraps
all
over
the
place.
611
mantrap
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. A trap for catching trespassers. [Eng.] 2. A dangerous place, as an open hatch, into which one may fall.
Difficulty: 18.12
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21406
I’ve
tried
to
explain
to
him
that
a
mantrap
has
no
conscience—it
might
just
as
easily
kill
a
local
nomad
shepherd,
or
one
of
us,
as
a
Russian
or
an
Afghan
soldier.
612
unprepossessing
prev
next
Definition (prepossessing)
Definition (prepossessing)
Tending to invite favor; attracting confidence, favor, esteem, or love; attractive; as, a prepossessing manner. -- Pre`pos*sess"ing*ly, adv.
Difficulty: 18.08
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 968
I
was
about
to
enter
the
dark
and
unprepossessing
restaurant
when
he
stopped
me,
his
expression
suddenly
grave.
613
deliverymen
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.08
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 5277
They
were
deliverymen,
waiting
to
enter
through
the
main
gate.
614
plasterwork
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Plastering used to finish architectural constructions, exterior or interior, especially that used for the lining of rooms. Ordinarly, mortar is used for the greater part of the work, and pure plaster of Paris for the moldings and ornaments.
"plastering": 1. Same as Plaster, n., 2. 2. The act or process of overlaying with plaster. 3. A covering of plaster; plasterwork.
Difficulty: 18.08
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9684
The
very
large,
oval
space
was
open
to
the
sky
in
the
centre
as
if
a
great
hole
had
been
cut
in
the
thick
plasterwork
of
the
ceiling.
615
tristesse
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.08
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 16753
‘I
am
an
expert
in
the
tristesse.
616
footrests
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.08
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24399
Every
time
I
accelerated
away,
he
dragged
his
feet
on
the
road
and
fidgeted
for
several
seconds
until
he
found
the
footrests.
617
abashed
prev
next
Definition (abash)
Definition (abash)
To destroy the self-possession of; to confuse or confound, as by exciting suddenly a consciousness of guilt, mistake, or inferiority; to put to shame; to disconcert; to discomfit. Abashed, the devil stood, And felt how awful goodness is. Milton. He was a man whom no check could abash. Macaulay. Syn. -- To confuse; confound; disconcert; shame. -- To Abash, Confuse, Confound. Abash is a stronger word than confuse, but not so strong as confound. We are abashed when struck either with sudden shame or with a humbling sense of inferiority; as, Peter was abashed in the presence of those who are greatly his superiors. We are confused when, from some unexpected or startling occurrence, we lose clearness of thought and self-possession. Thus, a witness is often confused by a severe cross-examination; a timid person is apt to be confused in entering a room full of strangers. We are confounded when our minds are overwhelmed, as it were, by something wholly unexpected, amazing, dreadful, etc., so that we have nothing to say. Thus, a criminal is usually confounded at the discovery of his guilt. Satan stood Awhile as mute, confounded what to say. Milton.
"disconcert": 1. To break up the harmonious progress of; to throw into disorder or confusion; as, the emperor disconcerted the plans of his enemy. 2. To confuse the faculties of; to disturb the composure of; to discompose; to abash. The embrace disconcerted the daughter-in-law somewhat, as the caresses of old gentlemen unshorn and perfumed with tobacco might well do. Thackeray. Syn. -- To discompose; derange; ruffle; confuse; disturb; defeat; frustrate.
Want of concert; disagreement. Sir W. Temple.
"discomfit": 1. To scatter in fight; to put to rout; to defeat. And his proud foes discomfit in victorious field. Spenser. 2. To break up and frustrate the plans of; to balk Well, go with me and be not so discomfited. Shak. Syn. -- To defeat; overthrow; overpower; vanquish; conquer; baffle; frustrate; confound; discourage.
Discomfited; overthrown. [Obs.]
Rout; overthrow; discomfiture. Such as discomfort as shall quite despoil him. Milton.
"clearness": The quality or state of being clear. Syn. -- Clearness, Perspicuity. Clearness has reference to our ideas, and springs from a distinct conception of the subject under consideration. Perspicuity has reference to the mode of expressing our ideas and belongs essentially to style. Hence we speak of a writer as having clear ideas, a clear arrangement, and perspicuous phraseology. We do at times speak of a person's having great clearness of style; but in such cases we are usually thinking of the clearness of his ideas as manifested in language. "Whenever men think clearly, and are thoroughly interested, they express themselves with perspicuity and force." Robertson.
Difficulty: 18.05
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 721
‘Oh,
I
am
understand,’
he
said,
looking
abashed.
618
moviemakers
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.05
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17055
The
moviemakers
were
a
fairly
affluent
crowd
of
frequent
flyers
who
might
need
black-market
dol-lars
and
documents,
from
time
to
time.
619
mutilator
prev
next
Definition
Definition
One who mutilates.
Difficulty: 18.05
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 19794
Could
my
friend,
my
friend
I
loved,
really
have
been
that
ruthless,
insane
mutilator?
620
whump
prev
next
Difficulty: 18.01
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2085
Then
there
was
the
whump
and
crash
as
we
slammed
into
a
car
that
had
stopped
in
front
of
us
to
make
a
turn.
621
beatitude
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Felicity of the highest kind; consummate bliss. 2. Any one of the nine declarations (called the Beatitudes), made in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. v. 3-12), with regard to the blessedness of those who are distinguished by certain specified virtues. 3. (R. C. Ch.) Beatification. Milman. Syn. -- Blessedness; felicity; happiness.
"blessedness": The state of being blessed; happiness; felicity; bliss; heavenly joys; the favor of God. The assurance of a future blessedness. Tillotson. Single blessedness, the unmarried state. "Grows, lives, and dies in single blessedness." Shak. Syn. -- Delight; beatitude; ecstasy. See Happiness.
"beatification": The act of beatifying, or the state of being beatified; esp., in the R. C. Church, the act or process of ascertaining and declaring that a deceased person is one of "the blessed," or has attained the second degree of sanctity, -- usually a stage in the process of canonization. "The beatification of his spirit." Jer. Taylor.
Difficulty: 18.01
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4566
Sooner
or
later,
in
the
torment
of
endlessly
ascending
pain,
every
man
of
them
assumed
a
luminous,
transcendent
beatitude.
622
automatism
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The state or quality of being automatic; the power of self- moving; automatic, mechanical, or involuntary action. (Metaph.) A theory as to the activity of matter.
Difficulty: 18.01
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 19196
She
sat
down
next
to
Didier,
and
he
wrapped
an
arm
around
her
in
the
automatism
of
grief
and
shock.
623
chud
prev
next
Definition
Definition
To champ; to bite. [Obs.] A. Stafford.
Difficulty: 17.98
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2429
‘Kaigaram
mad’chud!’
he
roared,
smiling
for
the
first
time.
624
dhals
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.98
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13212
Sitting
around
a
clean
sheet
on
the
stone
floor,
the
overseers
dipped
into
the
many
dishes
that
went
into
their
meals:
rice,
dhals,
chutneys,
fresh
roti,
fish,
meat
stews,
chicken,
and
sweet
desserts.
625
insouciance
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Carelessness; heedlessness; thoughtlessness; unconcern.
"unconcern": Want of concern; absence of anxiety; freedom from solicitude; indifference. A listless unconcern, Cold, and averting from our neighbor's good. Thomson.
Difficulty: 17.98
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13706
But
the
strange
mix
of
arrogance
and
insouciance
that
had
permitted
me
to
be
the
slum
doctor
was
gone,
and
I
didn’t
expect
it
to
return.
626
cheroots
prev
next
Definition (cheroot)
Definition (cheroot)
A kind of cigar, originally brought from Mania, in the Philippine Islands; now often made of inferior or adulterated tabacco.
"tabacco": Tobacco. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
Difficulty: 17.98
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13988
He
finished
his
beer,
and
lit
one
of
the
long,
thin,
cheroots
that
he
smoked
as
much
for
the
complement
they
made
to
his
costume
as
for
the
enjoyment
of
the
smoke.
627
kameez
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.98
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 19544
She
was
wearing
a
red
salwar
kameez.
628
malai
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.95
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11992
We
ate
chicken
byriani,
malai
kofta,
vegetable
korma,
rice,
curried
vegetables,
deep
fried
pieces
of
pumpkin,
potato,
onion,
and
cauliflower,
hot
buttered
naan
bread,
dhal,
papadams,
and
green
mango
chutney.
629
tranche
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.95
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18091
At
eighteen
he
seized
the
first
tranche
of
his
inheritance
and
fled
to
Cairo.
630
scatological
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.95
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18395
The
new
group
took
its
more
erratic
tone
from
Didier,
who
combined
the
expressive
mordancy
of
his
sarcasm
with
a
proclivity
for
the
vulgar,
the
obscene,
and
the
scatological.
631
smouldered
prev
next
Definition (smoulder)
Definition (smoulder)
1. To burn and smoke without flame; to waste away by a slow and supressed combustion. The smoldering dust did round about him smoke. Spenser. 2. To exist in a state of suppressed or smothered activity; to burn inwardly; as, a smoldering feud.
To smother; to suffocate; to choke. [Obs.] Holinshed. Palsgrave.
Smoke; smother. [Obs.] The smolder stops our nose with stench. Gascoigne.
See Smolder.
"inwardly": 1. In the inner parts; internally. Let Benedick, like covered fire, Consume away in sighs, waste inwardly. Shak. 2. Toward the center; inward; as, to curve inwardly. 3. In the heart or mind; mentally; privately; secretas, he inwardly repines. 4. Intimately; thoroughly. [Obs.] I shall desire to know him more inwardly. Beau. & Fl.
"palsgrave": A count or earl who presided in the domestic court, and had the superintendence, of a royal household in Germany.
"smolder": 1. To burn and smoke without flame; to waste away by a slow and supressed combustion. The smoldering dust did round about him smoke. Spenser. 2. To exist in a state of suppressed or smothered activity; to burn inwardly; as, a smoldering feud.
To smother; to suffocate; to choke. [Obs.] Holinshed. Palsgrave.
Smoke; smother. [Obs.] The smolder stops our nose with stench. Gascoigne.
Difficulty: 17.95
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23011
They
burned
and
smouldered
around
the
bare,
erupted
meat
of
his
back.
632
lacerating
prev
next
Definition (lacerate)
Definition (lacerate)
To tear; to rend; to separate by tearing; to mangle; as, to lacerate the flesh. Hence: To afflict; to torture; as, to lacerate the heart.
1. Rent; torn; mangled; as, a lacerated wound. By each other's fury lacerate Southey. 2. (Bot. & Zoöl.) Jagged, or slashed irregularly, at the end, or along the edge.
"mangle": 1. To cut or bruise with repeated blows or strokes, making a ragged or torn wound, or covering with wounds; to tear in cutting; to cut in a bungling manner; to lacerate; to mutilate. Mangled with ghastly wounds through plate and mail. Milton. 2. To mutilate or injure, in making, doing, or pertaining; as, to mangle a piece of music or a recitation. To mangle a play or a novel. Swift.
A machine for smoothing linen or cotton cloth, as sheets, tablecloths, napkins, and clothing, by roller pressure. Mangle rack (Mach.), a contrivance for converting continuous circular motion into reciprocating rectilinear motion, by means of a rack and pinion, as in the mangle. The pinion is held to the rack by a groove in such a manner that it passes alternately from one side of the rack to the other, and thus gives motion to it in opposite directions, according to the side in which its teeth are engaged. -- Mangle wheel, a wheel in which the teeth, or pins, on its face, are interrupted on one side, and the pinion, working in them, passes from inside to outside of the teeth alternately, thus converting the continuous circular motion of the pinion into a reciprocating circular motion of the wheel.
To smooth with a mangle, as damp linen or cloth.
"rend": 1. To separate into parts with force or sudden violence; to tear asunder; to split; to burst; as, powder rends a rock in blasting; lightning rends an oak. The dreadful thunder Doth rend the region. Shak. 2. To part or tear off forcibly; to take away by force. An empire from its old foundations rent. Dryden. I will surely rend the kingdom from thee. 1 Kings xi. 11. To rap and rend. See under Rap, v. t., to snatch. Syn. -- To tear; burst; break; rupture; lacerate; fracture; crack; split.
To be rent or torn; to become parted; to sepparate; to split. Jer. Taylor.
"afflict": 1. To strike or cast down; to overthrow. [Obs.] "Reassembling our afflicted powers." Milton. 2. To inflict some great injury or hurt upon, causing continued pain or mental distress; to trouble grievously; to torment. They did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. Exod. i. 11. That which was the worst now least afflicts me. Milton. 3. To make low or humble. [Obs.] Spenser. Men are apt to prefer a prosperous error before an afflicted truth. Jer. Taylor. Syn. -- To trouble; grieve; pain; distress; harass; torment; wound; hurt.
Afflicted. [Obs.] Becon.
"irregularly": In an irregular manner.
Difficulty: 17.91
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 107
If
you
feel
it
at
all,
it’s
a
lacerating
guilt,
that
first
confrontation
with
the
wretched
of
the
earth.
633
noisome
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Noxious to health; hurtful; mischievous; unwholesome; insalubrious; destructive; as, noisome effluvia. "Noisome pestilence." Ps. xci. 3. 2. Offensive to the smell or other senses; disgusting; fetid. "Foul breath is noisome." Shak. -- Noi"some*ly, adv. -- Noi"some*ness, n. Syn. -- Noxious; unwholesome; insalubrious; mischievous; destructive. -- Noisome, Noxious. These words have to a great extent been interchanged; but there is a tendency to make a distinction between them, applying noxious to things that inflict evil directly; as, a noxious plant, noxious practices, etc., and noisome to things that operate with a remoter influence; as, noisome vapors, a noisome pestilence, etc. Noisome has the additional sense of disqusting. A garden may be free from noxious weeds or animals; but, if recently covered with manure, it may be filled with a noisome smell.
"fetid": Having an offensive smell; stinking. Most putrefactions . . . smell either fetid or moldy. Bacon.
"insalubrious": Not salubrious or healthful; unwholesome; as, an insalubrious air or climate.
Difficulty: 17.91
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4754
The
air
was
hot
and
steamy,
but
the
breeze
dispersed
the
noisome
stink
from
the
latrine.
634
vibrio
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A genus of motile bacteria characterized by short, slightly sinuous filaments and an undulatory motion; also, an individual of this genus.
"sinuous": Bending in and out; of a serpentine or undulating form; winding; crooked. -- Sin"u*ous*ly, adv. Streaking the ground with sinuous trace. Milton. Gardens bright with sinuous rills. Coleridge.
"undulatory": Moving in the manner of undulations, or waves; resembling the motion of waves, which successively rise or swell rise or swell and fall; pertaining to a propagated alternating motion, similar to that of waves. Undulatory theory, or Wave theory (of light) (Opt.), that theory which regards its various phenomena as due to undulations in an ethereal medium, propagated from the radiant with immense, but measurable, velocities, and producing different impressions on the retina according to their amplitude and frequency, the sensation of brightness depending on the former, that of color on the latter. The undulations are supposed to take place, not in the direction of propagation, as in the air waves constituting sound, but transversely, and the various phenomena of refraction, polarization, interference, etc., are attributable to the different affections of these undulations in different circumstances of propagation. It is computed that the frequency of the undulations corresponding to the several colors of the spectrum ranges from 458 millions of millions per second for the extreme red ray, to 727 millions of millions for the extreme violet, and their lengths for the same colors, from the thirty-eight thousandth to the sixty thousandth part of an inch. The theory of ethereal undulations is applicable not only to the phenomena of light, but also to those of heat.
"motile": 1. (Biol.) Having powers of self-motion, though unconscious; as, the motile spores of certain seaweeds. 2. Producing motion; as, motile powers.
Difficulty: 17.91
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11484
The
vibrio
cholerae
bacterium
spreads
from
contaminated
water
and
lodges
itself
in
the
small
intestine,
producing
the
fever,
diarrhoea,
and
vomiting
that
cause
dehydration
and
death.
635
housebreakers
prev
next
Definition (housebreaker)
Definition (housebreaker)
One who is guilty of the crime of housebreaking.
"housebreaking": The act of breaking open and entering, with a felonious purpose, the dwelling house of another, whether done by day or night. See Burglary, and To break a house, under Break.
Difficulty: 17.91
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 14885
Junkies
and
pickpockets
and
housebreakers
from
all
over
Europe
and
Africa
stole
gold
jewellery
and
then
sold
it
to
their
drug
dealers
and
fences.
636
coquetry
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Attempts to attract admoration, notice, or love, for the mere gratification of vanity; trifling in love. "Little affectations of coquetry." Addison.
Difficulty: 17.88
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1261
‘Don’t
you
have
someone
waiting
for
you
somewhere,
or
someone
you
should
go
to?’
she
asked,
smiling
with
adroit
but
passionless
coquetry.
637
foldout
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.88
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17207
It
was
a
tiny
apartment
with
a
foldout
bed,
a
rudimentary
kitchen,
and
a
hundred
noisy
neighbours.
638
hipbone
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.88
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23012
Bones—a
hipbone
and
a
shoulder
blade—were
clearly
visible,
and
moving
in
the
open
wound
as
he
crawled.
639
turnbuckles
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.88
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26262
The
smell
of
man-sweat,
both
fresh
and
fouled
into
the
stitching
of
leather
gloves
and
belts
and
turnbuckles,
was
so
eyewateringly
rancid
that
the
gym
was
the
only
building
in
the
city
block
that
rats
and
cockroaches
spurned.
640
gesticulated
prev
next
Definition (gesticulate)
Definition (gesticulate)
To make gestures or motions, as in speaking; to use postures. Sir T. Herbert.
To represent by gesture; to act. [R.] B. Jonson.
Difficulty: 17.85
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3462
Whenever
he
spied
men
and
women
strolling
on
the
road,
he
sounded
the
horn
to
draw
their
attention,
gesticulated
with
his
thumb
to
indicate
the
foreigner
in
the
rear
of
the
bus,
and
slowed
to
a
crawl,
so
that
each
pedestrian
could
examine
me
with
satisfactory
thoroughness.
641
tableaux
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.85
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4037
Every
doorway
of
every
house
was
crowded
with
faces,
and
each
flash
of
lightning
showed
the
frozen
tableaux
of
wonder.
642
bleary
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Somewhat blear.
"blear": 1. Dim or sore with water or rheum; -- said of the eyes. His blear eyes ran in gutters to his chin. Dryden. 2. Causing or caused by dimness of sight; dim. Power to cheat the eye with blear illusion. Milton.
To make somewhat sore or watery, as the eyes; to dim, or blur, as the sight. Figuratively: To obscure (mental or moral perception); to blind; to hoodwink. That tickling rheums Should ever tease the lungs and blear the sight. Cowper. To blear the eye of, to deceive; to impose upon. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Difficulty: 17.85
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6766
Johnny
raised
the
stick,
and
Joseph
cowered,
trying
to
focus
his
bleary
eyes.
643
lank
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Slender and thin; not well filled out; not plump; shrunken; lean. Meager and lank with fasting grown. Swift. Who would not choose . . . to have rather a lank purse than an empty brain Barrow. 2. Languid; drooping.[Obs.] Who, piteous of her woes, reared her lank head. Milton. Lank hair, long, thin hair. Macaulay.
To become lank; to make lank. [Obs.] Shak. G. Fletcher.
"piteous": 1. Pious; devout. [Obs.] The Lord can deliver piteous men from temptation. Wyclif. 2. Evincing pity, compassion, or sympathy; compassionate; tender. "[She] piteous of his case." Pope. She was so charitable and so pitous. Chaucer. 3. Fitted to excite pity or sympathy; wretched; miserable; lamentable; sad; as, a piteous case. Spenser. The most piteous tale of Lear. Shak. 4. Paltry; mean; pitiful. "Piteous amends." Milton. Syn. -- Sorrowful; mournful; affecting; doleful; woeful; rueful; sad; wretched; miserable; pitiable; pitiful; compassionate. -- Pit"e*ous*ly, adv. -- Pit"e*ous*ness, n.
"languid": 1. Drooping or flagging from exhaustion; indisposed to exertion; without animation; weak; weary; heavy; dull. " Languid, powerless limbs. " Armstrong. Fire their languid souls with Cato's virtue. Addison. 2. Slow in progress; tardy. " No motion so swift or languid." Bentley. 3. Promoting or indicating weakness or heaviness; as, a languid day. Feebly she laugheth in the languid moon. Keats. Their idleness, aimless and languid airs. W. Black. Syn. -- Feeble; weak; faint; sickly; pining; exhausted; weary; listless; heavy; dull; heartless. -- Lan"guid*ly, adv. -- Lan"guid*ness, n.
Difficulty: 17.85
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8313
A
blessing
of
fresh
wind
cooled
us,
and
hair
that
had
been
lank
and
wet
with
sweat
was
dry
in
seconds.
644
gambol
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A skipping or leaping about in frolic; a hop; a sportive prank. Dryden.
To dance and skip about in sport; to frisk; to skip; to play in frolic, like boys or lambs.
"sportive": Tending to, engaged in, or provocate of, sport; gay; froliscome; playful; merry. Is it I That drive thee from the sportive court Shak. -- Sport"ive*ly, adv. -- Sport"ive*ness, n.
Difficulty: 17.85
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21537
The
pack
animals
were
in
constant
need
of
attention
and,
with
the
cargo
concealed
in
a
protected
cave,
the
unburdened
beasts
were
free
to
gambol
and
roam.
645
conciliate
prev
next
Definition
Definition
To win ower; to gain from a state of hostility; to gain the good will or favor of; to make friendly; to mollify; to propitiate; to appease. The rapacity of his father's administration had excited such universal discontent, that it was found expedient to conciliate the nation. Hallam. Syn. -- To reconcile; propitiate; appease; pacify.
"propitiate": To appease to render favorable; to make propitious; to conciliate. Let fierce Achilles, dreadful in his rage, The god propitiate, and the pest assuage. Pope.
To make propitiation; to atone.
"mollify": 1. To soften; to make tender; to reduce the hardness, harshness, or asperity of; to qualify; as, to mollify the ground. With sweet science mollified their stubborn hearts. Spenser. 2. To assuage, as pain or irritation, to appease, as excited feeling or passion; to pacify; to calm.
"rapacity": 1. The quality of being rapacious; rapaciousness; ravenousness; as, the rapacity of pirates; the rapacity of wolves. 2. The act or practice of extorting or exacting by oppressive injustice; exorbitant greediness of gain. "The rapacity of some ages." Sprat.
Difficulty: 17.85
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 22492
‘We
should
get
out
of
the
cold,
now,
and
talk
about
it,’
Ahmed
Zadeh
put
in
quickly,
hoping
to
conciliate.
646
majlis
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.82
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6656
And
several
times
a
week,
he
opened
his
large
main
room
to
the
public
as
a
majlis,
or
forum,
where
the
slum-dwellers
could
air
their
grievances
or
make
requests.
647
cartloads
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.82
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7209
Those
returning
from
the
large
markets
with
cartloads
of
vegetables
or
fish
or
dry
goods
for
shops
in
the
slum
were
harassed,
had
their
goods
spoiled,
and
were
sometimes
even
assaulted.
648
dispiriting
prev
next
Definition (dispirit)
Definition (dispirit)
1. To deprive of cheerful spirits; to depress the spirits of; to dishearten; to discourage. Not dispirited with my afflictions. Dryden. He has dispirited himself by a debauch. Collier. 2. To distill or infuse the spirit of. [Obs. or R.] This makes a man master of his learning, and dispirits the book into the scholar. Fuller. Syn. -- To dishearten; discourage; deject; damp; depress; cast down; intimidate; daunt; cow.
"daunt": 1. To overcome; to conquer. [Obs.] 2. To repress or subdue the courage of; to check by fear of danger; to cow; to intimidate; to dishearten. Some presences daunt and discourage us. Glanvill. Syn. -- To dismay; appall. See Dismay.
"debauch": To lead away from purity or excellence; to corrupt in character or principles; to mar; to vitiate; to pollute; to seduce; as, to debauch one's self by intemperance; to debauch a woman; to debauch an army. Learning not debauched by ambition. Burke. A man must have got his conscience thoroughly debauched and hardened before he can arrive to the height of sin. South. Her pride debauched her judgment and her eyes. Cowley.
1. Excess in eating or drinking; intemperance; drunkenness; lewdness; debauchery. The first physicians by debauch were made. Dryden. 2. An act or occasion of debauchery. Silenus, from his night's debauch, Fatigued and sick. Cowley.
"dishearten": To discourage; to deprive of courage and hope; to depress the spirits of; to deject. Regiments . . . utterly disorganized and disheartened. Macaulay. Syn. -- To dispirit; discourage; depress; deject; deter; terrify.
"dispirited": Depressed in spirits; disheartened; daunted. -- Dis*pir"it*ed*ly, adv. -- Dis*pir"it*ed, n.
"distill": 1. To drop; to fall in drops; to trickle. Soft showers distilled, and suns grew warm in vain. Pope. 2. To flow gently, or in a small stream. The Euphrates distilleth out of the mountains of Armenia. Sir W. Raleigh. 3. To practice the art of distillation. Shak.
1. To let fall or send down in drops. Or o'er the glebe distill the kindly rain. Pope. The dew which on the tender grass The evening had distilled. Drayton. 2. To obtain by distillation; to extract by distillation, as spirits, essential oil, etc.; to rectify; as, to distill brandy from wine; to distill alcoholic spirits from grain; to distill essential oils from flowers, etc.; to distill fresh water from sea water. "Distilling odors on me." Tennyson. 3. To subject to distillation; as, to distill molasses in making rum; to distill barley, rye, corn, etc. 4. To dissolve or melt. [R.] Swords by the lightning's subtle force distilled. Addison.
"infuse": 1. To pour in, as a liquid; to pour (into or upon); to shed. That strong Circean liquor cease to infuse. Denham. 2. To instill, as principles or qualities; to introduce. That souls of animals infuse themselves Into the trunks of men. Shak. Why should he desire to have qualities infused into his son which himself never possessd Swift. 3. To inspire; to inspirit or animate; to fill; -- followed by with. Infuse his breast with magnanimity. Shak. Infusing him with self and vain conceit. Shak. 4. To steep in water or other fluid without boiling, for the propose of extracting medicinal qualities; to soak. One scruple of dried leaves is infused in ten ounces of warm water. Coxe. 5. To make an infusion with, as an ingredient; to tincture; to saturate. [R.] Bacon.
Infusion. [Obs.] Spenser.
"deject": 1. To cast down. [Obs. or Archaic] Christ dejected himself even unto the hells. Udall. Sometimes she dejects her eyes in a seeming civility; and many mistake in her a cunning for a modest look. Fuller. 2. To cast down the spirits of; to dispirit; to discourage; to dishearten. Nor think, to die dejects my lofty mind. Pope.
Dejected. [Obs.]
Difficulty: 17.82
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 10514
Tariq
had
wounded
the
pack
leader,
and
it
hung
back
behind
the
others,
dispiriting
them
for
a
few
moments.
649
yowled
prev
next
Definition (yowl)
Definition (yowl)
To utter a loud, long, and mournful cry, as a dog; to howl; to yell.
A loud, protracted, and mournful cry, as that of a dog; a howl.
"protracted": Prolonged; continued. Protracted meeting,a religious meeting continued for many successive days. [U. S.] -- Pro*tract"ed*ly, adv. -- Pro*tract"ed*ness, n.
Difficulty: 17.82
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12989
The
men
shrieked
and
yowled.
650
dispiritingly
prev
next
Definition (dispirit)
Definition (dispirit)
1. To deprive of cheerful spirits; to depress the spirits of; to dishearten; to discourage. Not dispirited with my afflictions. Dryden. He has dispirited himself by a debauch. Collier. 2. To distill or infuse the spirit of. [Obs. or R.] This makes a man master of his learning, and dispirits the book into the scholar. Fuller. Syn. -- To dishearten; discourage; deject; damp; depress; cast down; intimidate; daunt; cow.
"daunt": 1. To overcome; to conquer. [Obs.] 2. To repress or subdue the courage of; to check by fear of danger; to cow; to intimidate; to dishearten. Some presences daunt and discourage us. Glanvill. Syn. -- To dismay; appall. See Dismay.
"debauch": To lead away from purity or excellence; to corrupt in character or principles; to mar; to vitiate; to pollute; to seduce; as, to debauch one's self by intemperance; to debauch a woman; to debauch an army. Learning not debauched by ambition. Burke. A man must have got his conscience thoroughly debauched and hardened before he can arrive to the height of sin. South. Her pride debauched her judgment and her eyes. Cowley.
1. Excess in eating or drinking; intemperance; drunkenness; lewdness; debauchery. The first physicians by debauch were made. Dryden. 2. An act or occasion of debauchery. Silenus, from his night's debauch, Fatigued and sick. Cowley.
"dishearten": To discourage; to deprive of courage and hope; to depress the spirits of; to deject. Regiments . . . utterly disorganized and disheartened. Macaulay. Syn. -- To dispirit; discourage; depress; deject; deter; terrify.
"dispirited": Depressed in spirits; disheartened; daunted. -- Dis*pir"it*ed*ly, adv. -- Dis*pir"it*ed, n.
"distill": 1. To drop; to fall in drops; to trickle. Soft showers distilled, and suns grew warm in vain. Pope. 2. To flow gently, or in a small stream. The Euphrates distilleth out of the mountains of Armenia. Sir W. Raleigh. 3. To practice the art of distillation. Shak.
1. To let fall or send down in drops. Or o'er the glebe distill the kindly rain. Pope. The dew which on the tender grass The evening had distilled. Drayton. 2. To obtain by distillation; to extract by distillation, as spirits, essential oil, etc.; to rectify; as, to distill brandy from wine; to distill alcoholic spirits from grain; to distill essential oils from flowers, etc.; to distill fresh water from sea water. "Distilling odors on me." Tennyson. 3. To subject to distillation; as, to distill molasses in making rum; to distill barley, rye, corn, etc. 4. To dissolve or melt. [R.] Swords by the lightning's subtle force distilled. Addison.
"infuse": 1. To pour in, as a liquid; to pour (into or upon); to shed. That strong Circean liquor cease to infuse. Denham. 2. To instill, as principles or qualities; to introduce. That souls of animals infuse themselves Into the trunks of men. Shak. Why should he desire to have qualities infused into his son which himself never possessd Swift. 3. To inspire; to inspirit or animate; to fill; -- followed by with. Infuse his breast with magnanimity. Shak. Infusing him with self and vain conceit. Shak. 4. To steep in water or other fluid without boiling, for the propose of extracting medicinal qualities; to soak. One scruple of dried leaves is infused in ten ounces of warm water. Coxe. 5. To make an infusion with, as an ingredient; to tincture; to saturate. [R.] Bacon.
Infusion. [Obs.] Spenser.
"deject": 1. To cast down. [Obs. or Archaic] Christ dejected himself even unto the hells. Udall. Sometimes she dejects her eyes in a seeming civility; and many mistake in her a cunning for a modest look. Fuller. 2. To cast down the spirits of; to dispirit; to discourage; to dishearten. Nor think, to die dejects my lofty mind. Pope.
Dejected. [Obs.]
Difficulty: 17.82
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20472
Their
conversations
were
dispiritingly
calculating.
651
alluvial
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Pertaining to, contained in, or composed of, alluvium; relating to the deposits made by flowing water; washed away from one place and deposited in another; as, alluvial soil, mud, accumulations, deposits.
"alluvium": Deposits of earth, sand, gravel, and other transported matter, made by rivers, floods, or other causes, upon land not permanently submerged beneath the waters of lakes or seas. Lyell.
Difficulty: 17.82
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20966
If
it
wasn’t
for
the
sky
in
my
blue-grey
eyes
and
the
alluvial
gold
in
his,
we
might’ve
been
taken
for
father
and
son.
652
furled
prev
next
Definition (furl)
Definition (furl)
To draw up or gather into close compass; to wrap or roll, as a sail, close to the yard, stay, or mast, or, as a flag, close to or around its staff, securing it there by a gasket or line. Totten.
Difficulty: 17.82
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 22640
He
held
his
standard,
furled
about
the
lance
in
his
hand.
653
epicure
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. A follower of Epicurus; an Epicurean. [Obs.] Bacon. 2. One devoted to dainty or luxurious sensual enjoyments, esp. to the luxuries of the table. Syn. -- Voluptuary; sensualist.
"epicurean": 1. Pertaining to Epicurus, or following his philosophy. "The sect Epicurean." Milton. 2. Given to luxury; adapted to luxurious tastes; luxurious; pertaining to good eating. Courses of the most refined and epicurean dishes. Prescott. Epicurean philosophy. See Atomic philosophy, under Atomic.
1. A follower or Epicurus. 2. One given to epicurean indulgence.
"sensualist": 1. One who is sensual; one given to the indulgence of the appetites or senses as the means of happiness. 2. One who holds to the doctrine of sensualism.
"voluptuary": A voluptuous person; one who makes his physical enjoyment his chief care; one addicted to luxury, and the gratification of sensual appetites. A good-humored, but hard-hearted, voluptuary. Sir W. Scott. Syn. -- Sensualist; epicure.
Voluptuous; luxurious.
Difficulty: 17.80
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 14386
Its
name
didn’t
appear
in
any
of
the
guidebooks
for
tourists
or
the
epicure
columns
in
the
daily
newspapers.
654
adjured
prev
next
Definition (adjure)
Definition (adjure)
To charge, bind, or command, solemnly, as if under oath, or under the penalty of a curse; to appeal to in the most solemn or impressive manner; to entreat earnestly. Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho. Josh. vi. 26. The high priest . . . said . . . I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ. Matt. xxvi. 63. The commissioners adjured them not to let pass so favorable an opportunity of securing their liberties. Marshall.
Difficulty: 17.80
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21509
The
Prophet
Mohammed
adjured
his
followers
to
return
the
peaceful
greeting
of
a
believer
with
an
even
more
polite
greeting.
655
dubba
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.80
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 25199
So
we
had
to
tie
him
up
over
a
big
dubba
of
acid,
yaar.
656
pitta
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Any one of a large group of bright-colored clamatorial birds belonging to Pitta, and allied genera of the family Pittidæ. Most of the species are varied with three or more colors, such as blue, green, crimson, yellow, purple, and black. They are called also ground thrushes, and Old World ant thrushes; but they are not related to the true thrushes. Note: The pittas are most abundant in the East Indies, but some inhabit Southern Asia, Africa, and Australia. They live mostly upon the ground, and feed upon insects of various kinds.
"clamatorial": Like or pertaining to the Clamatores.
"genera": See Genus.
Difficulty: 17.77
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8328
‘Charras
pitta?’
she
asked.
657
kofta
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.77
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11992
We
ate
chicken
byriani,
malai
kofta,
vegetable
korma,
rice,
curried
vegetables,
deep
fried
pieces
of
pumpkin,
potato,
onion,
and
cauliflower,
hot
buttered
naan
bread,
dhal,
papadams,
and
green
mango
chutney.
658
baje
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.77
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20429
You
go
…
Faloodah
House
…
Bohri
bazaar
…
today
…
saade
char
baje.’
659
helical
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Of or pertaining to, or in the form of, a helix; spiral; as, a helical staircase; a helical spring. -- Hel"i*cal*ly, adv.
Difficulty: 17.77
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 22158
I
turned
new
parts
on
the
turret
lathe,
and
melted
the
helical
metal
shavings
to
make
more
parts.
660
swash
prev
next
Definition
Definition
An oval figure, whose moldings are oblique to the axis of the work. Moxon. Swash plate (Mach.), a revolving circular plate, set obliquely on its shaft, and acting as a cam to give a reciprocating motion to a rod in a direction parallel to the shaft.
Soft, like fruit too ripe; swashy. [Prov. Eng.] Pegge.
1. To dash or flow noisily, as water; to splash; as, water swashing on a shallow place. 2. To fall violently or noisily. [Obs.] Holinshed. 3. To bluster; to make a great noise; to vapor or brag.
1. Impulse of water flowing with violence; a dashing or splashing of water. 2. A narrow sound or channel of water lying within a sand bank, or between a sand bank and the shore, or a bar over which the sea washes. 3. Liquid filth; wash; hog mash. [Obs.] 4. A blustering noise; a swaggering behavior. [Obs.] 5. A swaggering fellow; a swasher.
"swasher": One who makes a blustering show of valor or force of arms. Shak.
"obliquely": In an oblique manner; not directly; indirectly. "Truth obliquely leveled." Bp. Fell. Declining from the noon of day, The sun obliquely shoots his burning ray. Pope His discourse tends obliquely to the detracting from others. Addison.
"oblique": 1. Not erect or perpendicular; neither parallel to, nor at right angles from, the base; slanting; inclined. It has a direction oblique to that of the former motion. Cheyne. 2. Not straightforward; indirect; obscure; hence, disingenuous; underhand; perverse; sinister. The love we bear our friends... Hath in it certain oblique ends. Drayton. This mode of oblique research, when a more direct one is denied, we find to be the only one in our power. De Quincey. Then would be closed the restless, oblique eye. That looks for evil, like a treacherous spy. Wordworth. 3. Not direct in descent; not following the line of father and son; collateral. His natural affection in a direct line was strong, in an oblique but weak. Baker. Oblique angle, Oblique ascension, etc. See under Angle,Ascension, etc. -- Oblique arch (Arch.), an arch whose jambs are not at right angles with the face, and whose intrados is in consequence askew. -- Oblique bridge, a skew bridge. See under Bridge, n. -- Oblique case (Gram.), any case except the nominative. See Case, n. -- Oblique circle (Projection), a circle whose plane is oblique to the axis of the primitive plane. -- Oblique fire (Mil.), a fire the direction of which is not perpendicular to the line fired at. -- Oblique flank (Fort.), that part of the curtain whence the fire of the opposite bastion may be discovered. Wilhelm. -- Oblique leaf. (Bot.) (a) A leaf twisted or inclined from the normal position. (b) A leaf having one half different from the other. -- Oblique line (Geom.), a line that, meeting or tending to meet another, makes oblique angles with it. -- Oblique motion (Mus.), a kind of motion or progression in which one part ascends or descends, while the other prolongs or repeats the same tone, as in the accompanying example. -- Oblique muscle (Anat.), a muscle acting in a direction oblique to the mesial plane of the body, or to the associated muscles; -- applied especially to two muscles of the eyeball. -- Oblique narration. See Oblique speech. -- Oblique planes (Dialing), planes which decline from the zenith, or incline toward the horizon. -- Oblique sailing (Naut.), the movement of a ship when she sails upon some rhumb between the four cardinal points, making an oblique angle with the meridian. -- Oblique speech (Rhet.), speech which is quoted indirectly, or in a different person from that employed by the original speaker. -- Oblique sphere (Astron. & Geog.), the celestial or terrestrial sphere when its axis is oblique to the horizon of the place; or as it appears to an observer at any point on the earth except the poles and the equator. -- Oblique step (Mil.), a step in marching, by which the soldier, while advancing, gradually takes ground to the right or left at an angle of about 25º. It is not now practiced. Wilhelm. -- Oblique system of coördinates (Anal. Geom.), a system in which the coördinate axes are oblique to each other.
An oblique line.
1. To deviate from a perpendicular line; to move in an oblique direction. Projecting his person towards it in a line which obliqued from the bottom of his spine. Sir. W. Scott. 2. (Mil.) To march in a direction oblique to the line of the column or platoon; -- formerly accomplished by oblique steps, now by direct steps, the men half-facing either to the right or left.
"swashy": Soft, like fruit that is too ripe; quashy; swash. [Prov. Eng.]
"bluster": 1. To blow fitfully with violence and noise, as wind; to be windy and boisterous, as the weather. And ever-threatening storms Of Chaos blustering round. Milton. 2. To talk with noisy violence; to swagger, as a turbulent or boasting person; to act in a noisy, tumultuous way; to play the bully; to storm; to rage. Your ministerial directors blustered like tragic tyrants. Burke.
To utter, or do, with noisy violence; to force by blustering; to bully. He bloweth and blustereth out . . . his abominable blasphemy. Sir T. More. As if therewith he meant to bluster all princes into a perfect obedience to his commands. Fuller.
1. Fitful noise and violence, as of a storm; violent winds; boisterousness. To the winds they set Their corners, when with bluster to confound Sea, air, and shore. Milton. 2. Noisy and violent or threatening talk; noisy and boastful language. L'Estrange. Syn. -- Noise; boisterousness; tumult; turbulence; confusion; boasting; swaggering; bullying.
"blustering": 1. Exhibiting noisy violence, as the wind; stormy; tumultuous. A tempest and a blustering day. Shak. 2. Uttering noisy threats; noisy and swaggering; boisterous. "A blustering fellow." L'Estrange.
"swashing": 1. Swaggering; hectoring. "A swashing and martial outside." Shak. 2. Resounding; crushing. "Swashing blow." Shak.
Difficulty: 17.74
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2016
It
was
an
hour
before
noon,
and
the
swash
of
traffic
that
coursed
through
that
stone
canyon
was
swollen
by
large
numbers
of
runners
pushing
tiffin
carts.
661
nightspot
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.74
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 5572
Everyone
knew
that
the
restaurant
at
Haji
Ali,
like
every
other
illegal
nightspot
in
town
that
faked
a
close,
would
reopen
in
less
than
half
an
hour.
662
metron
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.74
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 14719
They
introduced
a
decimal
system
based
on
a
unit
of
length
that
they
called
the
metre,
from
the
Greek
word
metron,
which
has
the
meaning
of
a
measure.’
663
enfeebled
prev
next
Definition (enfeeble)
Definition (enfeeble)
To make feeble; to deprive of strength; to reduce the strength or force of; to weaken; to debilitate. Enfeebled by scanty subsistence and excessive toil. Prescott. Syn. -- To weaken; debilitate; enervate.
"enervate": To deprive of nerve, force, strength, or courage; to render feeble or impotent; to make effeminate; to impair the moral powers of. A man . . . enervated by licentiousness. Macaulay. And rhyme began t' enervate poetry. Dryden. Syn. -- To weaken; enfeeble; unnerve; debilitate.
Weakened; weak; without strength of force. Pope.
"scanty": 1. Wanting amplitude or extent; narrow; small; not abundant. his dominions were very narrow and scanty. Locke. Now scantier limits the proud arch confine. Pope. 2. Somewhat less than is needed; insufficient; scant; as, a scanty supply of words; a scanty supply of bread. 3. Sparing; niggardly; parsimonius. In illustrating a point of difficulty, be not too scanty of words. I. Watts. Syn. -- Scant; narrow; small; poor; deficient; meager; scarce; chary; sparing; parsimonious; penurious; niggardly; grudging.
"subsistence": 1. Real being; existence. Not only the things had subsistence, but the very images were of some creatures existing. Stillingfleet. 2. Inherency; as, the subsistence of qualities in bodies. 3. That which furnishes support to animal life; means of support; provisions, or that which produces provisions; livelihood; as, a meager subsistence. His viceroy could only propose to himself a comfortable subsistence out of the plunder of his province. Addison. 4. (Theol.) Same as Hypostasis, 2. Hooker.
"debilitate": To impair the strength of; to weaken; to enfeeble; as, to debilitate the body by intemperance. Various ails debilitate the mind. Jenyns. The debilitated frame of Mr. Bertram was exhausted by this last effort. Sir W. Scott.
Difficulty: 17.72
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17517
He
seemed
to
have
recovered
from
the
grief
that
had
enfeebled
him
for
many
months
after
his
wife’s
death
in
the
cholera
epidemic.
664
decorousness
prev
next
Definition (decorous)
Definition (decorous)
Suitable to a character, or to the time, place, and occasion; marked with decorum; becoming; proper; seemly; befitting; as, a decorous speech; decorous behavior; a decorous dress for a judge. A decorous pretext the war. Motley. -- De*co"rous*ly, adv. -- De*co"rous*ness, n.
"seemly": Suited to the object, occasion, purpose, or character; suitable; fit; becoming; comely; decorous. He had a seemly nose. Chaucer. I am a woman, lacking wit To make a seemly answer to such persons. Shak. Suspense of judgment and exercise of charity were safer and seemlier for Christian men than the hot pursuit of these controversies. Hooker. Syn. -- Becoming; fit; suitable; proper; appropriate; congruous; meet; decent; decorous.
In a decent or suitable manner; becomingly. Suddenly a men before him stood, Not rustic as before, but seemlier clad, As one in city or court or place bred. Milton.
Difficulty: 17.72
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17613
Her
long,
curly
blonde
hair
was
pulled
back
from
her
face,
and
held
in
an
elegant
coiffure
that
complemented
the
decorousness
of
her
modest,
ivory-coloured
pantsuit.
665
repudiation
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The act of repudiating, or the state of being repuddiated; as, the repudiation of a doctrine, a wife, a debt, etc.
One who favors repudiation, especially of a public debt.
Difficulty: 17.72
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18725
Few
of
his
family
members
could
bring
themselves
to
face
the
agony
of
that
public
repudiation
of
the
ancient,
gorgeously
elaborate
Hindu
wedding
they’d
long
planned
for
him.
666
bandmaster
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The conductor of a musical band.
Difficulty: 17.72
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27376
Worried
that
we’d
never
rid
ourselves
of
the
wedding
band,
I
ran
back
to
press
a
bundle
of
notes
into
the
hand
of
their
bandmaster,
with
instructions
that
he
should
turn
right,
away
from
us,
and
march
along
Marine
Drive.
667
obtrusively
prev
next
Definition (obtrusive)
Definition (obtrusive)
Disposed to obtrude; inclined to intrude or thrust one's self or one's opinions upon others, or to enter uninvited; forward; pushing; intrusive. -- Ob*tru"sive*ly, adv. -- Ob*tru"sive*ness, n. Not obvious, not obtrusive, but retired. Milton.
"obtrude": 1. To thrust impertinently; to present without warrant or solicitation; as, to obtrude one's self upon a company. The objects of our senses obtrude their particular ideas upon our minds, whether we will or no. Lock. 2. To offer with unreasonable importunity; to urge unduly or against the will. Milton.
To thrust one's self upon a company or upon attention; to intrude. Syn. -- To Obtrude, Intrude. To intrude is to thrust one's self into a place, society, etc., without right, or uninvited; to obtrude is to force one's self, remarks, opinions, etc., into society or upon persons with whom one has no such intimacy as to justify such boldness.
Difficulty: 17.69
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 16850
They
were
all
jobs
that
a
gora
could
perform
more
successfully
and
less
obtrusively
than
an
Indian.
668
connivance
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Intentional failure or forbearance to discover a fault or wrongdoing; voluntary oversight; passive consent or co 2. (Law) Corrupt or guilty assent to wrongdoing, not involving actual participation in, but knowledge of, and failure to prevent or oppose it. Syn. -- See Collusion.
"assent": To admit a thing as true; to express one's agreement, acquiescence, concurrence, or concession. Who informed the governor . . . And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so. Acts xxiv. 9. The princess assented to all that was suggested. Macaulay. Syn. -- To yield; agree; acquiesce; concede; concur.
The act of assenting; the act of the mind in admitting or agreeing to anything; concurrence with approval; consent; agreement; acquiescence. Faith is the assent to any proposition, on the credit of the proposer. Locke. The assent, if not the approbation, of the prince. Prescott. Too many people read this ribaldry with assent and admiration. Macaulay. Royal assent, in England, the assent of the sovereign to a bill which has passed both houses of Parliament, after which it becomes law. Syn. -- Concurrence; acquiescence; approval; accord. -- Assent, Consent. Assent is an act of the understanding, consent of the will or feelings. We assent to the views of others when our minds come to the same conclusion with theirs as to what is true, right, or admissible. We consent when there is such a concurrence of our will with their desires and wishes that we decide to comply with their requests. The king of England gives his assent, not his consent, to acts of Parliament, because, in theory at least, he is not governed by personal feelings or choice, but by a deliberate, judgment as to the common good. We also use assent in cases where a proposal is made which involves but little interest or feeling. A lady may assent to a gentleman's opening the window; but if he offers himself in marriage, he must wait for her consent.
"forbearance": The act of forbearing or waiting; the exercise of patience. He soon shall findForbearance no acquittance ere day end. Milton. 2. The quality of being forbearing; indulgence toward offenders or enemies; long-suffering. Have a continent forbearance, till the speed of his rage goeShak. Syn. -- Abstinence; refraining; lenity; mildness.
Difficulty: 17.69
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20476
But
with
a
little
luck
and
skilful
connivance,
the
profiteers
hoped,
the
army
might
remain
in
control
of
the
country—and
the
well-established
channels
of
corruption—for
some
years
yet.
669
assiduous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Constant in application or attention; devoted; attentive; unremitting. She grows more assiduous in her attendance. Addison. 2. Performed with constant diligence or attention; unremitting; persistent; as, assiduous labor. To weary him with my assiduous cries. Milton. Syn. -- Diligent; attentive; sedulous; unwearied; unintermitted; persevering; laborious; indefatigable. As*sid"u*ous*ly, adv. -- As*sid"u*ous*ness, n.
"laborious": 1. Requiring labor, perseverance, or sacrifices; toilsome; tiresome. Dost thou love watchings, abstinence, or toil, Laborious virtues all Learn these from Cato. Addison. 2. Devoted to labor; diligent; industrious; as, a laborious mechanic. -- La*bo"ri*ous*ly, adv. -- La*bo"ri*ous*ness, n.
"sedulous": Diligent in application or pursuit; constant, steady, and persevering in business, or in endeavors to effect an object; steadily industrious; assiduous; as, the sedulous bee. What signifies the sound of words in prayer, without the affection of the heart, and a sedulous application of the proper means that may naturally lead us to such an end L'Estrange. Syn. -- Assiduous; diligent; industrious; laborious; unremitting; untiring; unwearied; persevering. -- Sed"u*lous*ly, adv. -- Sed"u*lous*ness, n.
"persevering": Characterized by perseverance; persistent. -- Per`se*ver"ing*ly, adv.
"unremitting": Not remitting; incessant; continued; persevering; as, unremitting exertions. Cowper. -- Un`re*mit"ting*ly, adv. -- Un`re*mit"ting*ness, n.
"unwearied": Not wearied; not fatigued or tired; hence, persistent; not tiring or wearying; indefatigable. -- Un*wea"ried*ly, adv. -- Un*wea"ried*ness, n.
"indefatigable": Incapable of being fatigued; not readily exhausted; unremitting in labor or effort; untiring; unwearying; not yielding to fatigue; as, indefatigable exertions, perseverance, application. "A constant, indefatigable attendance." South. Upborne with indefatigable wings. Milton. Syn. -- Unwearied; untiring; persevering; persistent.
Difficulty: 17.69
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 22908
I
wished
that
I’d
been
more
assiduous
in
my
study
of
Dari
and
Pashto
during
the
long
wait
in
Quetta.
670
circumscribed
prev
next
Definition (circumscribe)
Definition (circumscribe)
1. to write or engare around. [R.] Thereon is circumscribed this epitaph. Ashmole. 2. To inclose within a certain limit; to hem in; to surround; to bound; to confine; to restrain. To circumscribe royal power. Bancroft. 3. (Geom.) To draw a line around si as to touch at certain points without cutting. See Inscribe, 5. Syn. -- To bound; limit; restrict; confine; abridge; restrain; environ; encircle; inclose; encompass.
"inscribe": 1. To write or engrave; to mark down as something to be read; to imprint. Inscribe a verse on this relenting stone. Pope. 2. To mark with letters, charakters, or words. O let thy once lov'd friend inscribe thy stone. Pope. 3. To assign or address to; to commend to by a shot address; to dedicate informally; as, to inscribe an ode to a friend. Dryden. 4. To imprint deeply; to impress; to stamp; as, to inscribe a sentence on the memory. 5. (Geom.) To draw within so as to meet yet not cut the boundaries. Note: A line is inscribed in a circle, or in a sphere, when its two ends are in the circumference of the circle, or in the surface of the sphere. A triangle is inscribed in another triangle, when the three angles of the former are severally on the three sides of the latter. A circle is inscribed in a polygon, when it touches each side of the polygon. A sphere is inscribed in a polyhedron, when the sphere touches each boundary plane of the polyhedron. The latter figure in each case is circumscribed about the former.
"environ": To surround; to encompass; to encircle; to hem in; to be round about; to involve or envelop. Dwelling in a pleasant glade, With mountains round about environed. Spenser. Environed he was with many foes. Shak. Environ me with darkness whilst I write. Donne.
About; around. [Obs.] Lord Godfrey's eye three times environ goes. Fairfax.
"encircle": To form a circle about; to inclose within a circle or ring; to surround; as, to encircle one in the arms; the army encircled the city. Her brows encircled with his serpent rod. Parnell. Syn. -- To encompass; surround; environ; inclose.
"inclose": 1. To surround; to shut in; to confine on all sides; to include; to shut up; to encompass; as, to inclose a fort or an army with troops; to inclose a town with walls. How many evils have inclosed me round! Milton. 2. To put within a case, envelope, or the like; to fold (a thing) within another or into the same parcel; as, to inclose a letter or a bank note. The inclosed copies of the treaty. Sir W. Temple. 3. To separate from common grounds by a fence; as, to inclose lands. Blackstone. 4. To put into harness; to harness. [Obs.] They went to coach and their horse inclose. Chapman.
"abridge": 1. To make shorter; to shorten in duration; to lessen; to diminish; to curtail; as, to abridge labor; to abridge power or rights. "The bridegroom . . . abridged his visit." Smollett. She retired herself to Sebaste, and abridged her train from state to necessity. Fuller. 2. To shorten or contract by using fewer words, yet retaining the sense; to epitomize; to condense; as, to abridge a history or dictionary. 3. To deprive; to cut off; -- followed by of, and formerly by from; as, to abridge one of his rights.
"encompass": To circumscribe or go round so as to surround closely; to encircle; to inclose; to environ; as, a ring encompasses the finger; an army encompasses a city; a voyage encompassing the world. Shak. A question may be encompassed with difficulty. C. J. Smith. The love of all thy sons encompass thee. Tennyson. Syn. -- To encircle; inclose; surround; include; environ; invest; hem in; shut up.
"thereon": On that or this. Chaucer. Then the king said, Hang him thereon. Esther vii. 9.
Difficulty: 17.69
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24568
I
stood
up
and
brushed
myself
off
in
a
very
narrow,
low
corridor
that
snaked
ahead,
following
the
shapes
and
corners
of
the
rooms
it
circumscribed.
671
paisano
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The chaparral cock.
"chaparral": 1. A thicket of low evergreen oaks. 2. An almost impenetrable thicket or succession of thickets of thorny shrubs and brambles. Chaparral cock; fem. Chaparral hen (Zoöl.), a bird of the cuckoo family (Geococcyx Californianus), noted for running with great speed. It ranges from California to Mexico and eastward to Texas; -- called also road runner, ground cuckoo, churea, and snake killerit is the state bird of New Mexico.
Difficulty: 17.69
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 25446
The
waiters
greeted
me
with
broad
smiles,
calling
me
gao-alay,
or
countryman,
the
Indian
equivalent
of
the
Italian
paisano.
672
undulant
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Undulating. [R.]
"undulating": Rising and falling like waves; resembling wave form or motion; undulatory; rolling; wavy; as, an undulating medium; undulating ground. -- Un"du*la`ting*ly. adv.
Difficulty: 17.67
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3652
Under
the
indigo
banner
of
early-evening
sky,
on
the
scratch
of
track
between
fields
of
undulant
maize
and
millet,
we
spread
out
the
colours
of
India,
the
yellows
and
reds
and
peacock
blues
of
shirts
and
lungi
wraps
and
saris.
673
tremulously
prev
next
Definition (tremulous)
Definition (tremulous)
1. Shaking; shivering; quivering; as, a tremulous limb; a tremulous motion of the hand or the lips; the tremulous leaf of the poplar. 2. Affected with fear or timidity; trembling. The tender, tremulous Christian. Dr. H. More. -- Trem"u*lous*ly, adv. -- Trem"u*lous*ness, n.
"timidity": The quality or state of being timid; timorousness; timidness.
Difficulty: 17.67
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7079
I
took
the
two
steps,
reached
out
tremulously,
and
slowly
pressed
myself
against
the
shaggy
fur
of
Kano
the
bear.
674
suborn
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. (Law) To procure or cause to take a false oath amounting to perjury, such oath being actually taken. Sir W. O. Russell. 2. To procure privately, or by collusion; to procure by indirect means; to incite secretly; to instigate. Thou art suborned against his honor. Shak. Those who by despair suborn their death. Dryden.
Difficulty: 17.67
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8040
Legend
had
it
that
she’d
been
the
mistress
of
a
KGB
officer
who’d
employed
her
unique
beauty
to
suborn
prominent
Congress
Party
officials.
675
filmi
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.67
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18699
There
was
a
certain
reciprocal
cachet
in
the
connection:
the
filmi
types,
as
they
were
known
in
Bollywood,
found
it
exhilarating
to
be
associated,
at
a
safe
distance,
with
the
notorious
mafia
don,
and
the
Khan
himself
wasn’t
indifferent
to
the
glamour
that
laminated
the
movie
world.
676
coalmines
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.64
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 19510
They’re
the
canaries,
kind
of,
in
the
coalmines
of
our
hearts.
677
timorousness
prev
next
Definition (timorous)
Definition (timorous)
1. Fearful of danger; timid; deficient in courage. Shak. 2. Indicating, or caused by, fear; as, timorous doubts. "The timorous apostasy of chuchmen." Milman. -- Tim"or*ous*ly, adv. -- Tim"or*ous*ness, n.
"apostasy": An abandonment of what one has voluntarily professed; a total desertion of departure from one's faith, principles, or party; esp., the renunciation of a religious faith; as, Julian's apostasy from Christianity.
Difficulty: 17.64
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20292
The
horses
watched
us
with
that
peculiarly
equine
mix
of
white-eyed
timorousness
and
snorting
condescension.
678
ministrations
prev
next
Definition (ministration)
Definition (ministration)
The act of ministering; service; ministry. "The days of his ministration." Luke i. 23.
Difficulty: 17.64
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 22860
Mahmoud
Melbaaf,
the
Iranian
who’d
been
with
us
since
the
Karachi
taxi
ride,
was
so
tender
and
devoted
and
loving
in
his
ministrations
that
my
eyes
went
again
and
again
to
his
calm,
strong
face
as
he
worked
and
prayed.
679
seacoast
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The shore or border of the land adjacent to the sea or ocean. Also used adjectively.
"adjectively": In the manner of an adjective; as, a word used adjectively.
Difficulty: 17.62
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4753
Once
past
the
latrines
and
within
the
first
lane
of
huts,
however,
there
were
fitful
gusts
of
wind
from
a
wide
arc
of
seacoast
that
formed
the
furthermost
edge
of
the
slum.
680
effete
prev
next
Definition
Definition
No longer capable of producing young, as an animal, or fruit, as the earth; hence, worn out with age; exhausted of energy; incapable of efficient action; no longer productive; barren; sterile. Effete results from virile efforts. Mrs. Browning If they find the old governments effete, worn out, . . . they may seek new ones. Burke.
Difficulty: 17.62
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8898
Life
and
death,
love
and
hate,
loyalty
and
betrayal,’
Abdul
Ghani
explained,
waving
a
plump
hand
in
effete
little
circles
with
each
couplet.
681
professorial
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Of or pertaining to a professor; as, the professional chair; professional interest.
Difficulty: 17.62
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15053
‘As
I
said,
we’re
having
this
discussion
about
what
it
is
that
motivates
people,’
Scorpio
George
pressed
on,
his
Canadian
accent
and
professorial
manner
combining
in
the
documentary
voice-over
style
that
most
irritated
his
English
friend.
682
chastened
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Corrected; disciplined; refined; purified; toned down. Sir. W. Scott. Of such a finished chastened purity. Tennyson.
Difficulty: 17.62
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18450
‘Nothing
happened,’
he
replied,
puzzled
by
my
irritation,
and
somewhat
chastened.
684
kaftan
prev
next
Definition
Definition
See Caftan.
"caftan": A garment worn throughout the Levant, consisting of a long gown with sleeves reaching below the hands. It is generally fastened by a belt or sash.
To clothe with a caftan. [R.] The turbaned and caftaned damsel. Sir W. Scott.
Difficulty: 17.60
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2290
There
were
long
silk
shirts
that
descended
to
the
knee
and
were
fastened
with
pearl
buttons,
from
neck
to
waist;
kaftan
robes
in
plain
colours
or
stripes;
hooded
cloaks
that
resembled
the
garb
of
monks;
and
an
endless
variety
of
skull
caps,
in
white
or
beaded
colours,
and
turbans
in
yellow,
red,
and
electric
blue.
685
haymaker
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. One who cuts and cures hay. 2. A machine for curing hay in rainy weather.
Difficulty: 17.60
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4291
Beside
me,
Prabaker
went
down
once,
leapt
to
his
feet,
and
collected
a
wild
haymaker
that
sent
him
dazed
and
sprawling.
686
stippled
prev
next
Definition (stipple)
Definition (stipple)
1. To engrave by means of dots, in distinction from engraving in lines. The interlaying of small pieces can not altogether avoid a broken, stippled, spotty effect. Milman. 2. To paint, as in water colors, by small, short touches which together produce an even or softly graded surface.
A mode of execution which produces the effect by dots or small points instead of lines. 2. (Paint.) A mode of execution in which a flat or even tint is produced by many small touches.
"engrave": To deposit in the grave; to bury. [Obs.] "Their corses to engrave." Spenser.
1. To cut in; to make by incision. [Obs.] Full many wounds in his corrupted flesh He did engrave. Spenser. 2. To cut with a graving instrument in order to form an inscription or pictorial representation; to carve figures; to mark with incisions. Like . . . . a signet thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel. Ex. xxviii. 11. 3. To form or represent by means of incisions upon wood, stone, metal, or the like; as, to engrave an inscription. 4. To impress deeply; to infix, as if with a graver. Engrave principles in men's minds. Locke.
Difficulty: 17.60
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8541
More
sweat
stippled
her
upper
lip,
dissolving
in
the
tears.
687
stocktaking
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.60
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11249
There
were
few
places
in
the
city
better
suited
to
the
spiritual
and
physical
stocktaking
that
a
wanted
man
worries
himself
with,
when
the
omens
are
bad
enough.
688
legitimised
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.60
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11797
In
a
curious
mix
of
pride
and
shame,
my
presence
legitimised
their
crimes.
689
stipple
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. To engrave by means of dots, in distinction from engraving in lines. The interlaying of small pieces can not altogether avoid a broken, stippled, spotty effect. Milman. 2. To paint, as in water colors, by small, short touches which together produce an even or softly graded surface.
A mode of execution which produces the effect by dots or small points instead of lines. 2. (Paint.) A mode of execution in which a flat or even tint is produced by many small touches.
"engrave": To deposit in the grave; to bury. [Obs.] "Their corses to engrave." Spenser.
1. To cut in; to make by incision. [Obs.] Full many wounds in his corrupted flesh He did engrave. Spenser. 2. To cut with a graving instrument in order to form an inscription or pictorial representation; to carve figures; to mark with incisions. Like . . . . a signet thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel. Ex. xxviii. 11. 3. To form or represent by means of incisions upon wood, stone, metal, or the like; as, to engrave an inscription. 4. To impress deeply; to infix, as if with a graver. Engrave principles in men's minds. Locke.
Difficulty: 17.60
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 22799
When
the
attack
was
over,
we
searched
among
the
blackened
stipple
and
crater
of
the
compound.
690
gesticulating
prev
next
Definition (gesticulate)
Definition (gesticulate)
To make gestures or motions, as in speaking; to use postures. Sir T. Herbert.
To represent by gesture; to act. [R.] B. Jonson.
Difficulty: 17.60
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23314
That
information
inspired
a
little
gesticulating
buzz
of
discussion
that
was
more
animated
and
partisan
than
any
of
the
political
or
religious
debates
that
had
occasionally
stirred
among
the
men.
691
gloweringly
prev
next
Definition (glower)
Definition (glower)
to look intently; to stare angrily or with a scowl. Thackeray.
Difficulty: 17.60
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23805
The
black-and-white
photograph
showed
almost
all
the
men
of
Khader’s
mujaheddin
unit
assembled
for
the
kind
of
formal
portrait
that
makes
the
people
of
Afghanistan,
Pakistan,
and
India
seem
more
stiff
and
gloweringly
self-conscious
than
they
really
are.
692
purplish
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Somewhat purple. Boyle.
Difficulty: 17.57
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9805
A
ridge
of
purplish
scar
tissue
was
prominent
on
the
brown
skin
of
his
forehead.
693
courgettes
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.57
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12851
The
eyes
and
bruises,
cut
from
potatoes,
were
used,
as
were
the
hard
ends
of
courgettes,
the
papery
outer
skins
of
onions,
and
the
muddy
scrapings
from
turnips.
694
dreamily
prev
next
Definition
Definition
As if in a dream; softly; slowly; languidly. Longfellow.
Difficulty: 17.57
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15257
‘That’s
good,’
she
said
dreamily,
wistfully,
looking
away.
695
doit
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. A small Dutch coin, worth about half a farthing; also, a similar small coin once used in Scotland; hence, any small piece of money. Shak. 2. A thing of small value; as, I care not a doit.
Difficulty: 17.57
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 22051
I’m
right
not
to
trust
any
of
you
…
You
want
to
kill
me
…
All
of
you
…
You
want
me
dead
…
But
it’s
all
right
…
I
don’t
mind
…
I
give
you
my
permission
…
I
want
you
to
doit…
696
burnished
prev
next
Definition (burnish)
Definition (burnish)
To cause to shine; to make smooth and bright; to polish; specifically, to polish by rubbing with something hard and smooth; as, to burnish brass or paper. The frame of burnished steel, that east a glare From far, and seemed to thaw the freezing air. Dryden. Now the village windows blaze, Burnished by the setting sun. Cunningham. Burnishing machine, a machine for smoothing and polishing by compression, as in making paper collars.
To shine forth; to brighten; to become smooth and glossy, as from swelling or filling out; hence, to grow large. A slender poet must have time to grow, And spread and burnish as his brothers do. Dryden. My thoughts began to burnish, sprout, and swell. Herbert.
The effect of burnishing; gloss; brightness; luster. Crashaw.
"luster": One who lusts.
A period of five years; a lustrum. Both of us have closed the tenth luster. Bolingbroke.
1. Brilliancy; splendor; brightness; glitter. The right mark and very true luster of the diamond. Sir T. More. The scorching sun was mounted high, In all its luster, to the noonday sky. Addison. Note: There is a tendency to limit the use of luster, in this sense, to the brightness of things which do not shine with their own light, or at least do not blaze or glow with heat. One speaks of the luster of a diamond, or of silk, or even of the stars, but not often now of the luster of the sun, a coal of fire, or the like. 2. Renown; splendor; distinction; glory. His ancestors continued about four hundred years, rather without obscurity than with any great luster. Sir H. Wotton. 3. A candlestick, chandelier, girandole, or the like, generally of an ornamental character. Pope. 4. (Min.) The appearance of the surface of a mineral as affected by, or dependent upon, peculiarities of its reflecting qualities. Note: The principal kinds of luster recognized are: metallic, adamantine, vitreous, resinous, greasy, pearly, and silky. With respect to intensity, luster is characterized as splendent, shining, glistening, glimmering, and dull. 5. A substance which imparts luster to a surface, as plumbago and some of the glazes. 6. A fabric of wool and cotton with a lustrous surface, -- used for women's dresses. Luster ware, earthenware decorated by applying to the glazing metallic oxides, which acquire brilliancy in the process of baking.
To make lustrous. [R. & Poetic] Flooded and lustered with her loosened gold. Lowell.
"smoothing": fr. Smooth, v. Smoothing iron, an iron instrument with a polished face, for smoothing clothes; a sadiron; a flatiron. -- Smoothing plane, a short, finely set plane, for smoothing and finishing work.
Difficulty: 17.55
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7313
Her
black
hair
was
free,
and
burnished
with
copper
tints
by
the
sun.
697
coifed
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Wearing a coif.
Difficulty: 17.55
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8710
The
hair
was
dark
and
elaborately
coifed,
falling
in
ringlets
that
framed
her
round
and
somewhat
plump
face.
698
connived
prev
next
Definition (connive)
Definition (connive)
1. To open and close the eyes rapidly; to wink. [Obs.] The artist is to teach them how to nod judiciously, and to connive with either eye. Spectator. 2. To close the eyes upon a fault; to wink (at); to fail or forbear by intention to discover an act; to permit a proceeding, as if not aware of it; -- usually followed by at. To connive at what it does not approve. Jer. Taylor. In many of these, the directors were heartily concurring; in most of them, they were encouraging, and sometimes commanding; in all they were conniving. Burke. The government thought it expedient, occasionally, to connive at the violation of this rule. Macaulay.
To shut the eyes to; to overlook; to pretend not to see. [R. & Obs.] "Divorces were not connived only, but with eye open allowed." Milton.
"judiciously": In a judicious manner; with good judgment; wisely.
"forbear": An ancestor; a forefather; -- usually in the plural. [Scot.] "Your forbears of old." Sir W. Scott.
1. To refrain from proceeding; to pause; to delay. Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear 1 Kinds xxii. 6. 2. To refuse; to decline; to give no heed. Thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear. Ezek. ii. 7. 3. To control one's self when provoked. The kindest and the happiest pair Will find occasion to forbear. Cowper. Both bear and forbear. Old Proverb.
1. To keep away from; to avoid; to abstain from; to give up; as, to forbear the use of a word of doubdtful propriety. But let me that plunder forbear. Shenstone. The King In open battle or the tilting field Forbore his own advantage. Tennyson. 2. To treat with consideration or indulgence. Forbearing one another in love. Eph. iv. 2. 3. To cease from bearing. [Obs.] Whenas my womb her burden would forbear. Spenser.
"concurring": Agreeing. Concurring figure (Geom.), one which, being laid on another, exactly meets every part of it, or one which correspondends with another in all its parts.
Difficulty: 17.55
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11555
The
truth
was
that
while
my
words
warned
her
away
to
safety,
my
fanatic
heart
connived
with
my
eyes
to
make
her
stay.
699
formulaic
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.55
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18724
He’d
responded
to
the
tears
and
pleading
of
his
loved
ones
with
one
formulaic
phrase:
This
is
the
modern
India,
yaar.
700
underbite
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.55
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 19808
The
anger
in
him
was
so
close
to
the
surface
that
he
trembled
with
it,
and
opened
his
mouth
unconsciously
to
bare
his
teeth
in
an
underbite.
701
pugnaciously
prev
next
Definition (pugnacious)
Definition (pugnacious)
Disposed to fight; inclined to fighting; quarrelsome; fighting. --Pug*na"cious*ly, adv. -- Pug*na"cious*ness, n.
"quarrelsome": Apt or disposed to quarrel; given to brawls and contention; easily irritated or provoked to contest; irascible; choleric. Syn. -- Pugnacious; irritable; irascible; brawling; choleric; fiery; petulant. -- Quar"rel*some*ly, adv. -- Quar"rel*some*ness, n.
Difficulty: 17.55
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27584
‘I
should?’
he
asked,
thrusting
his
face
forward
pugnaciously.
702
adroit
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Dexterous in the use of the hands or in the exercise of the mental faculties; exhibiting skill and readiness in avoiding danger or escaping difficulty; ready in invention or execution; -- applied to persons and to acts; as, an adroit mechanic, an adroit reply. "Adroit in the application of the telescope and quadrant." Horsley. "He was adroit in intrigue." Macaulay. Syn. -- Dexterous; skillful; expert; ready; clever; deft; ingenious; cunning; ready-witted.
"deft": Apt; fit; dexterous; clever; handy; spruce; neat. [Archaic or Poetic] "The deftest way." Shak. "Deftest feats." Gay. The limping god, do deft at his new ministry. Dryden. Let me be deft and debonair. Byron.
"dexterous": 1. Ready and expert in the use of the body and limbs; skillful and active with the hands; handy; ready; as, a dexterous hand; a dexterous workman. 2. Skillful in contrivance; quick at inventing expedients; expert; as, a dexterous manager. Dexterous the craving, fawning crowd to quit. Pope. 3. Done with dexterity; skillful; artful; as, dexterous management. "Dexterous sleights of hand." Trench. Syn. -- Adroit; active; expert; skillful; clever; able; ready; apt; handy; versed.
Difficulty: 17.53
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1261
‘Don’t
you
have
someone
waiting
for
you
somewhere,
or
someone
you
should
go
to?’
she
asked,
smiling
with
adroit
but
passionless
coquetry.
703
ennobling
prev
next
Definition (ennoble)
Definition (ennoble)
1. To make noble; to elevate in degree, qualities, or excellence; to dignify. "Ennobling all that he touches." Trench. What can ennoble sots, or slaves, or cowards Alas! not all the blood of all the Howards. Pope. 2. To raise to the rank of nobility; as, to ennoble a commoner. Syn. -- To raise; dignify; exalt; elevate; aggrandize.
"aggrandize": 1. To make great; to enlarge; to increase; as, to aggrandize our conceptions, authority, distress. 2. To make great or greater in power, rank, honor, or wealth; -- applied to persons, countries, etc. His scheme for aggrandizing his son. Prescott. 3. To make appear great or greater; to exalt. Lamb. Syn. -- To augment; exalt; promote; advance.
To increase or become great. [Obs.] Follies, continued till old age, do aggrandize. J. Hall.
"exalt": 1. To raise high; to elevate; to lift up. I will exalt my throne above the stars of God. Is. xiv. 13. Exalt thy towery head, and lift thine eyes Pope. 2. To elevate in rank, dignity, power, wealth, character, or the like; to dignify; to promote; as, to exalt a prince to the throne, a citizen to the presidency. Righteousness exalteth a nation. Prov. xiv. 34. He that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luke xiv. 11. 3. To elevate by prise or estimation; to magnify; to extol; to glorify. "Exalt ye the Lord." Ps. xcix. 5. In his own grace he doth exalt himself. Shak. 4. To lift up with joy, pride, or success; to inspire with delight or satisfaction; to elate. They who thought they got whatsoever he lost were mightily exalted. Dryden. 5. To elevate the tone of, as of the voice or a musical instrument. Is. xxxvii. 23. Now Mars, she said, let Fame exalt her voice. Prior. 6. (Alchem.) To render pure or refined; to intensify or concentrate; as, to exalt the juices of bodies. With chemic art exalts the mineral powers. Pope.
Difficulty: 17.53
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3532
With
all
due
respect
to
the
Mahatma,
however,
it’s
not
until
you
live
and
work
with
India’s
farmers
that
you
fully
appreciate
the
gentle
and
ennobling
beauty
of
that
simple
wrap
of
fabric.
704
tripartite
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Divided into three parts; triparted; as, a tripartite leaf. 2. Having three corresponding parts or copies; as, to make indentures tripartite. A. Smith. 3. Made between three parties; as, a tripartite treaty.
"triparted": 1. (Her.) Parted into three piece; having three parts or pieces; -- said of the field or of a bearing; as, a cross triparted. 2. (Bot.) Divided nearly to the base into three segments or lobes.
Difficulty: 17.53
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 5925
It
was
a
lush,
tripartite
harmony
built
upon
a
simple
melody
and
improvised
cadenzas.
705
festooned
prev
next
Definition (festoon)
Definition (festoon)
1. A garland or wreath hanging in a depending curve, used in decoration for festivals, etc.; anything arranged in this way. 2. (Arch. & Sculp.) A carved ornament consisting of flowers, and leaves, intermixed or twisted together, wound with a ribbon, and hanging or depending in a natural curve. See Illust. of Bucranium.
To form in festoons, or to adorn with festoons.
"sculp": To sculpture; to carve; to engrave. [Obs. or Humorous.] Sandys.
"bucranium": A sculptured ornament, representing an ox skull adorned with wreaths, etc.
Difficulty: 17.53
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7180
Even
after
the
monkey
men
bought
them
their
own
supply
of
the
baubles,
and
festooned
their
hairy
arms
and
legs
with
them,
the
monkeys
still
found
the
theft
of
such
jewellery
irresistible.
706
convulsed
prev
next
Definition (convulse)
Definition (convulse)
1. To contract violently and irregulary, as the muscular parts of an animal body; to shake with irregular spasms, as in excessive laughter, or in agony from grief or pain. With emotions which checked his voice and convulsed his powerful frame. Macaulay. 2. To agitate greatly; to shake violently. The world is convulsed by the agonies of great nations. Macaulay. Syn. -- To agitate; disturb; shake; tear; rend.
"rend": 1. To separate into parts with force or sudden violence; to tear asunder; to split; to burst; as, powder rends a rock in blasting; lightning rends an oak. The dreadful thunder Doth rend the region. Shak. 2. To part or tear off forcibly; to take away by force. An empire from its old foundations rent. Dryden. I will surely rend the kingdom from thee. 1 Kings xi. 11. To rap and rend. See under Rap, v. t., to snatch. Syn. -- To tear; burst; break; rupture; lacerate; fracture; crack; split.
To be rent or torn; to become parted; to sepparate; to split. Jer. Taylor.
Difficulty: 17.53
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12173
Within
the
velvet
cloaks
of
tenderness,
our
backs
convulsed
in
quivering
heat,
pushing
heat,
pushing
muscles
to
complete
what
minds
begin
and
bodies
always
win.
707
genuflecting
prev
next
Definition (genuflect)
Definition (genuflect)
To bend the knee, as in worship.
Difficulty: 17.53
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 14584
Khader
stared
at
the
vessels,
which
were
shifting
and
genuflecting
at
their
moorings
on
the
lapping
tide.
708
wale
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. A streak or mark made on the skin by a rod or whip; a stripe; a wheal. See Wheal. Holland. 2. A ridge or streak rising above the surface, as of cloth; hence, the texture of cloth. Thou 'rt rougher far, And of a coarser wale, fuller of pride. Beau & Fl. 3. (Carp.) A timber bolted to a row of piles to secure them together and in position. Knight. 4. (Naut.) (a) pl. Certain sets or strakes of the outside planking of a vessel; as, the main wales, or the strakes of planking under the port sills of the gun deck; channel wales, or those along the spar deck, etc. (b) A wale knot, or wall knot. Wale knot. (Naut.) See Wall knot, under 1st Wall.
1. To mark with wales, or stripes. 2. To choose; to select; specifically (Mining), to pick out the refuse of (coal) by hand, in order to clean it. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
"planking": 1. The act of laying planks; also, planks, collectively; a series of planks in place, as the wooden covering of the frame of a vessel. 2. The act of splicing slivers. See Plank, v. t., 4.
"wheal": A pustule; a whelk. Wiseman.
1. A more or less elongated mark raised by a stroke; also, a similar mark made by any cause; a weal; a wale. 2. Specifically (Med.), a flat, burning or itching eminence on the skin, such as is produced by a mosquito bite, or in urticaria.
A mine.
Difficulty: 17.53
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 16538
It
swelled,
in
my
mind,
until
it
was
huge:
until
the
pattern
of
ridges
on
the
handle
was
as
large
as
the
wale
of
bark
on
a
cork
tree.
709
chador
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.53
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 16810
Once
again
we
sat
in
silence
and
allowed
our
eyes
to
rove
the
passing
crowds,
following
a
man
in
a
blue
turban
in
one
instant,
and
a
woman
in
a
black
mask,
veil,
and
chador
the
next.
710
laneway
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.53
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18810
It
was
a
nearly
squalid
three-storey
building
in
a
laneway
parallel
to
Kinshasa’s
long
main
street.
711
languorously
prev
next
Definition (languorous)
Definition (languorous)
Producing, or tending to produce, languor; characterized by languor. [Obs. or Poetic] Whom late I left in languorous constraint. Spenser. To wile the length from languorous hours, and draw The sting from pain. Tennyson.
"languor": 1. A state of the body or mind which is caused by exhaustion of strength and characterized by a languid feeling; feebleness; lassitude; laxity. 2. Any enfeebling disease. [Obs.] Sick men with divers languors. Wyclif (Luke iv. 40). 3. Listless indolence; dreaminess. Pope. " German dreams, Italian languors." The Century. Syn. -- Feebleness; weakness; faintness; weariness; dullness; heaviness; lassitude; listlessness.
"constraint": The act of constraining, or the state of being constrained; that which compels to, or restrains from, action; compulsion; restraint; necessity. Long imprisonment and hard constraint. Spenser. Not by constraint, but bDryden. Syn. -- Compulsion; violence; necessity; urgency. -- Constraint, Compulsion. Constraint implies strong binding force; as, the constraint of necessity; the constraint of fear. Compulsion implies the exertion of some urgent impelling force; as, driven by compulsion. The former prevents us from acting agreeably to our wishes; the latter forces us to act contrary to our will. Compulsion is always produced by some active agent; a constraint may be laid upon us by the forms of civil society, or by other outward circumstances. Crabb.
Difficulty: 17.53
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 22040
He
looked
back
to
my
eyes,
moving
his
gaze
slowly,
almost
languorously.
712
capstan
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A vertical cleated drum or cylinder, revolving on an upright spindle, and surmounted by a drumhead with sockets for bars or levers. It is much used, especially on shipboard, for moving or raising heavy weights or exerting great power by traction upon a rope or cable, passing around the drum. It is operated either by steam power or by a number of men walking around the capstan, each pushing on the end of a lever fixed in its socket. [Sometimes spelt Capstern, but improperly.] Capstan bar, one of the long bars or levers by which the capstan is worked; a handspike.. -- To pawl the capstan, to drop the pawls so that they will catch in the notches of the pawl ring, and prevent the capstan from turning back. -- To rig the capstan, to prepare the for use, by putting the bars in the sockets. -- To surge the capstan, to slack the tension of the rope or cable wound around it.
"pawl": A pivoted tongue, or sliding bolt, on one part of a machine, adapted to fall into notches, or interdental spaces, on another part, as a ratchet wheel, in such a manner as to permit motion in one direction and prevent it in the reverse, as in a windlass; a catch, click, or detent. See Illust. of Ratchet Wheel. [Written also paul, or pall.] Pawl bitt (Naut.), a heavy timber, set abaft the windlass, to receive the strain of the pawls. -- Pawl rim or ring (Naut.), a stationary metallic ring surrounding the base of a capstan, having notches for the pawls to catch in.
To stop with a pawl; to drop the pawls off. To pawl the capstan. See under Capstan.
"surmounted": 1. (Arch.) Having its vertical height greater than the half span; -- said of an arch. 2. (Her.) Partly covered by another charge; -- said of an ordinary or other bearing.
"shipboard": A ship's side; hence, by extension, a ship; -- found chiefly in adverbial phrases; as, on shipboard; a shipboard.
"drumhead": 1. The parchment or skin stretched over one end of a drum. 2. The top of a capstan which is pierced with sockets for levers used in turning it. See Illust. of Capstan. Drumhead court-martial (Mil.), a summary court-martial called to try offenses on the battlefield or the line of march, when, sometimes, a drumhead has to do service as a writing table.
Difficulty: 17.53
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 22114
There
was
a
small
capstan
lathe,
which
we’d
bolted
to
a
homemade
table.
713
languorous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Producing, or tending to produce, languor; characterized by languor. [Obs. or Poetic] Whom late I left in languorous constraint. Spenser. To wile the length from languorous hours, and draw The sting from pain. Tennyson.
"languor": 1. A state of the body or mind which is caused by exhaustion of strength and characterized by a languid feeling; feebleness; lassitude; laxity. 2. Any enfeebling disease. [Obs.] Sick men with divers languors. Wyclif (Luke iv. 40). 3. Listless indolence; dreaminess. Pope. " German dreams, Italian languors." The Century. Syn. -- Feebleness; weakness; faintness; weariness; dullness; heaviness; lassitude; listlessness.
"constraint": The act of constraining, or the state of being constrained; that which compels to, or restrains from, action; compulsion; restraint; necessity. Long imprisonment and hard constraint. Spenser. Not by constraint, but bDryden. Syn. -- Compulsion; violence; necessity; urgency. -- Constraint, Compulsion. Constraint implies strong binding force; as, the constraint of necessity; the constraint of fear. Compulsion implies the exertion of some urgent impelling force; as, driven by compulsion. The former prevents us from acting agreeably to our wishes; the latter forces us to act contrary to our will. Compulsion is always produced by some active agent; a constraint may be laid upon us by the forms of civil society, or by other outward circumstances. Crabb.
Difficulty: 17.53
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 25708
There
were
changes
in
her,
and
I
couldn’t
help
noticing
them—a
kind
of
honesty,
maybe,
in
the
way
her
body
moved,
and
a
new,
almost
languorous
release
that
softened
her
eyes.
714
yachtsman
prev
next
Definition
Definition
One who owns or sails a yacht; a yachter.
"yachter": One engaged in sailing a jacht.
Difficulty: 17.53
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26921
More
than
just
the
sum
of
good
features—high
cheekbones,
a
high,
wide
forehead,
expressive
topaz-coloured
eyes,
a
strong
nose,
smiling
mouth,
and
firm
chin—it
was
the
kind
of
face
that
once
would’ve
been
called
dashing:
the
lone
yachtsman,
the
mountaineer,
the
jungle
adventurer.
715
downdraft
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.51
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4898
When
one
squalling
downdraft
of
wind
swept
black
and
brown
smoke
into
our
clearing,
we
lost
sight
of
Qasim
Ali
Hussein
completely.
716
mummifying
prev
next
Definition (mummify)
Definition (mummify)
To embalm and dry as a mummy; to make into, or like, a mummy. Hall (1646).
"embalm": 1. To anoint all over with balm; especially, to preserve from decay by means of balm or other aromatic oils, or spices; to fill or impregnate (a dead body), with aromatics and drugs that it may resist putrefaction. Joseph commanded his servants, the physicians, to embalm embalmed Israel. Gem. l. 2. 2. To fill or imbue with sweet odor; to perfume. With fresh dews embalmed the earth. Milton. 3. To preserve from decay or oblivion as if with balm; to perpetuate in remembrance. Those tears eternal that embalm the dead. Pope.
Difficulty: 17.51
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12292
Trussed
up
in
the
mummifying
ropes,
dragged
up
the
hard
metal
stairs
one
bruising
bump
at
a
time,
I
forced
my
thoughts
to
settle
on
that
mantra,
and
I
repeated
it
to
the
thumping
beat
of
my
heart:
Get
a
message
to
Khaderbhai
…
Get
a
message
to
Khaderbhai…
717
trainload
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.51
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15567
They
sent
a
trainload
of
cops
after
him,
and
they
surrounded
his
gang,
at
a
hotel
in
the
bush.’
718
mannerism
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Adherence to a peculiar style or manner; a characteristic mode of action, bearing, or treatment, carried to excess, especially in literature or art. Mannerism is pardonable,and is sometimes even agreeable, when the manner, though vicious, is natural . . . . But a mannerism which does not sit easy on the mannerist, which has been adopted on principle, and which can be sustained only by constant effort, is always offensive. Macaulay.
"pardonable": Admitting of pardon; not requiring the excution of penalty; venial; excusable; -- applied to the offense or to the offender; as, a pardonable fault, or culprit.
"mannerist": One addicted to mannerism; a person who, in action, bearing, or treatment, carries characteristic peculiarities to excess. See citation under Mannerism.
"adherence": 1. The quality or state of adhering. 2. The state of being fixed in attachment; fidelity; steady attachment; adhesion; as, adherence to a party or to opinions. Syn. -- Adherence, Adhesion. These words, which were once freely interchanged, are now almost entirely separated. Adherence is no longer used to denote physical union, but is applied, to mental states or habits; as, a strict adherence to one's duty; close adherence to the argument, etc. Adhesion is now confined chiefly to the physical sense, except in the phrase "To give in one's adhesion to a cause or a party."
Difficulty: 17.49
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1436
The
expression
spoke
itself
clearly
in
my
mind
and,
together
with
Didier’s
mannerism,
the
words
put
me
back
in
a
prison
cell.
719
surreptitious
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Done or made by stealth, or without proper authority; made or introduced fraudulently; clandestine; stealthy; as, a surreptitious passage in an old manuscript; a surreptitious removal of goods. -- Sur`rep*ti"tious*ly, adv.
"fraudulently": In a fraudulent manner.
Difficulty: 17.49
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3985
Trapped,
our
jaws
grinding
away
at
the
admittedly
delicious
food,
we
both
cast
surreptitious
glances
at
the
young
women
cooking
at
the
wok,
hoping
that
each
roti,
after
the
third
or
fourth
we’d
eaten,
would
be
our
last.
720
forelegs
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.49
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7081
The
thick
forelegs
were
all
muscle,
however,
and
they
closed
around
me
at
shoulder
height
with
a
massive
power,
a
non-human
strength.
721
inured
prev
next
Definition (ure)
Definition (ure)
The urus.
Use; practice; exercise. [Obs.] Fuller. Let us be sure of this, to put the best in ure That lies in us. Chapman.
To use; to exercise; to inure; to accustom by practice. [Obs.] The French soldiers . . . from their youth have been practiced and ured in feats of arms. Sir T. More.
"inure": To apply in use; to train; to discipline; to use or accustom till use gives little or no pain or inconvenience; to harden; to habituate; to practice habitually. "To inure our prompt obedience." Milton. He . . . did inure them to speak little. Sir T. North. Inured and exercised in learning. Robynson (More's Utopia). The poor, inured to drudgery and distress. Cowper.
To pass into use; to take or have effect; to be applied; to serve to the use or benefit of; as, a gift of lands inures to the heirs. [Written also enure.]
"urus": A very large, powerful, and savage extinct bovine animal (Bos urus or primigenius) anciently abundant in Europe. It appears to have still existed in the time of Julius Cæsar. It had very large horns, and was hardly capable of domestication. Called also, ur, ure, and tur.
"accustom": To make familiar by use; to habituate, familiarize, or inure; - - with to. I shall always fear that he who accustoms himself to fraud in little things, wants only opportunity to practice it in greater. Adventurer. Syn. -- To habituate; inure; exercise; train.
1. To be wont. [Obs.] Carew. 2. To cohabit. [Obs.] We with the best men accustom openly; you with the basest commit private adulteries. Milton.
Custom. [Obs.] Milton.
Difficulty: 17.49
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9350
But
the
needle,
no
matter
how
fine
or
sharp,
is
still
a
foreign
object
and,
for
those
of
us
who
aren’t
inured
to
such
work
through
frequent
repetition,
there’s
a
psychological
penalty
that
must
be
paid
each
time
we
drive
that
alien
thing
into
another
being’s
flesh.
722
bedstead
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A framework for supporting a bed.
Difficulty: 17.49
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 10104
She
was
slumped
uncomfortably
against
the
bedstead,
and
she
was
breathing
noisily
through
her
mouth.
723
brutalised
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.49
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12375
From
what
I
saw
in
those
three
weeks,
about
one
man
in
every
five
who
was
brutalised
and
dispossessed
in
that
last
room
took
the
second
option.
724
warily
prev
next
Definition
Definition
In a wary manner.
Difficulty: 17.49
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21130
The
tough
men
parted
for
him
warily,
compassion
vying
with
fear
in
their
eyes
as
they
watched
him
pass.
725
tottered
prev
next
Definition (totter)
Definition (totter)
1. To shake so as to threaten a fall; to vacillate; to be unsteady; to stagger; as,an old man totters with age. "As a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence." Ps. lxii. 3. 2. To shake; to reel; to lean; to waver. Troy nods from high, and totters to her fall. Dryden.
"vacillate": 1. To move one way and the other; to reel or stagger; to waver. [A spheroid] is always liable to shift and vacillatefrom one axis to another. Paley. 2. To fluctuate in mind or opinion; to be unsteady or inconstant; to waver. Syn. -- See Fluctuate.
Difficulty: 17.47
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4614
He
turned,
and
tottered
slowly
back
toward
the
street
gate,
muttering
prayers
in
a
soft
drone.
726
jao
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.47
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12057
‘Seedha
jao!’
she
told
the
driver.
727
businesswomen
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.47
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13599
With
its
vast
population,
India
sent
many
thousands
of
businessmen,
businesswomen,
and
travellers
out
of
the
country
every
day.
728
cheesecloth
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.47
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23896
He
produced
the
Stechkin,
wrapped
in
a
coil
of
cheesecloth.
729
histrionic
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Of or relating to the stage or a stageplayer; befitting a theatre; theatrical; -- sometimes in a bad sense. -- His`tri*on"ic*al*ly, adv. Tainted with false and histrionic feeling. De Quincey.
"stageplayer": An actor on the stage; one whose occupation is to represent characters on the stage; as, Garrick was a celebrated stageplayer.
Difficulty: 17.45
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2175
He
appealed
to
the
crowd
with
enormous,
histrionic
gestures,
flinging
his
arms
wide
and
then
striking
his
own
blood-streaked
face.
730
slunk
prev
next
Definition
Definition
imp. & p. p. of Slink.
Difficulty: 17.45
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4260
Some
found
the
going
too
hard
and
slunk
away,
defeated.
731
spindrift
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Same as Spoondrift. The ocean waves are broken up by wind, ultimately producing the storm wrack and spindrift of the tempest-tossed sea. J. E. Marr.
"spoondrift": Spray blown from the tops waves during a gale at sea; also, snow driven in the wind at sea; -- written also spindrift.
"wrack": A thin, flying cloud; a rack.
To rack; to torment. [R.]
1. Wreck; ruin; destruction. [Obs.] Chaucer. "A world devote to universal wrack." Milton. wrack and ruin 2. Any marine vegetation cast up on the shore, especially plants of the genera Fucus, Laminaria, and Zostera, which are most abundant on northern shores. 3. (Bot.) Coarse seaweed of any kind. Wrack grass, or Grass wrack (Bot.), eelgrass.
To wreck. [Obs.] Dryden.
Difficulty: 17.45
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 5415
The
waves,
reaching
up
in
splash
and
spindrift,
pulled
at
me.
732
portmanteau
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A bag or case, usually of leather, for carrying wearing apparel, etc., on journeys. Thackeray.
Difficulty: 17.45
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8046
Madame
Zhou
had
become
a
kind
of
portmanteau
figure:
people
packed
the
details
of
their
own
obsessions
into
her
life.
733
lawbreaker
prev
next
Definition
Definition
One who disobeys the law; a criminal. -- Law"break`ing, n. & a.
Difficulty: 17.43
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13510
His
instruction
in
the
lawbreaker’s
arts—he
sent
me
first
to
the
Palestinian,
Khaled
Ansari,
to
learn
the
black-market
money
trade—gave
me
the
means
to
become
what
I’d
never
tried
or
wanted
to
be:
a
professional
criminal.
734
basso
prev
next
Definition
Definition
(a) The bass or lowest part; as, to sing basso. (b) One who sings the lowest part. (c) The double bass, or contrabasso. Basso continuo (. Etym: [It., bass continued.] (Mus.) A bass part written out continuously, while the other parts of the harmony are indicated by figures attached to the bass; continued bass.
"continuo": Basso continuo, or continued bass.
"etym": See Etymon. H. F. Talbot.
"contrabasso": The largest kind of bass viol. See Violone.
Difficulty: 17.43
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18266
‘No,’
he
rumbled
in
the
basso
voice
that
commanded
unquestioning
respect
in
his
ghetto.
735
dogleg
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.43
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26428
It
was
completely
dark,
and
it
ended
in
a
little
dogleg
where
the
space
curved
around
the
blind
corner
of
another
building.
736
polyglot
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Containing, or made up, of, several languages; as, a polyglot lexicon, Bible. 2. Versed in, or speaking, many languages.
1. One who speaks several languages. [R.] "A polyglot, or good linguist." Howell. 2. A book containing several versions of the same text, or containing the same subject matter in several languages; esp., the Scriptures in several languages. Enriched by the publication of polyglots. Abp. Newcome.
"newcome": Recently come.
Difficulty: 17.41
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6148
But
after
a
while
I
realised
that
the
demarcations,
like
so
many
other
long
and
short
lines
of
division
in
the
complex,
culturally
polyglot
city,
were
not
as
rigid
as
they’d
seemed.
737
subcontracted
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Contracted after a former contract. 2. Betrothed for the second time. [Obs.] Shak.
Difficulty: 17.41
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17038
She’d
subcontracted
the
task
to
a
casting
agent,
but
he
was
experiencing
difficulty
in
finding
foreigners
to
fill
the
small,
non-speaking,
decorative
roles.
738
clamshell
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.41
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20077
The
sneer
rippled
his
lip
like
the
opening
ridges
of
a
clamshell.
739
mullahs
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.41
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23008
He’d
been
a
favourite
of
Khaderbhai’s
for
his
jokes
and
irreverent
satires
of
pompous
mullahs
and
local
political
figures.
740
fishhooks
prev
next
Definition (fishhook)
Definition (fishhook)
1. A hook for catching fish. 2. (Naut.) A hook with a pendant, to the end of which the fish-tackle is hooked. Dana.
Difficulty: 17.41
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23718
Then
the
pain
caused
by
the
hot
soup
in
our
empty
stomachs
was
as
sharp
as
a
belly
full
of
fishhooks;
yet
that
too
passed,
and
every
man
forced
himself
to
drink
three
helpings,
and
to
chew
the
rubbery,
rotting
chunks
of
meat.
741
doorjamb
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.41
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24188
I
stepped
up
one,
two
steps,
and
reached
out
with
my
right
hand
to
touch
the
doorjamb
and
then
touch
my
chest,
over
the
heart,
in
a
salaam
to
fate
and
a
homage
to
the
dead
friends
and
enemies
who
entered
with
me.
742
sputtered
prev
next
Definition (sputter)
Definition (sputter)
1. To spit, or to emit saliva from the mouth in small, scattered portions, as in rapid speaking. 2. To utter words hastily and indistinctly; to speak so rapidly as to emit saliva. They could neither of them speak their rage, and so fell a sputtering at one another, like two roasting apples. Congreve. 3. To throw out anything, as little jets of steam, with a noise like that made by one sputtering. Like the green wood . . . sputtering in the flame. Dryden.
To spit out hastily by quick, successive efforts, with a spluttering sound; to utter hastily and confusedly, without control over the organs of speech. In the midst of caresses, and without the last pretend incitement, to sputter out the basest accusations. Swift.
Moist matter thrown out in small detached particles; also, confused and hasty speech.
"confusedly": In a confused manner.
"incitement": 1. The act of inciting. 2. That which incites the mind, or moves to action; motive; incentive; impulse. Burke. From the long records of a distant age, Derive incitements to renew thy rage. Pope. Syn. -- Motive; incentive; spur; stimulus; impulse; encouragement.
Difficulty: 17.39
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3298
When
at
last
he
rose
to
leave,
and
I
resumed
my
seat,
he
muttered
such
a
vile
curse
that
the
other
passengers
sputtered
into
guffaws
of
laughter,
and
a
couple
of
them
commiserated
with
me
by
patting
my
shoulder
and
back.
743
chastisement
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The act of chastising; pain inflicted for punishment and correction; discipline; punishment. Shall I so much dishonor my fair stars, On equal terms to give him chastesement! Shak. I have borne chastisement; I will not offend any more. Job xxxiv. 31.
Difficulty: 17.39
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6853
They
soothed
him
with
hugs
and
the
first
kind
words
he’d
heard
since
the
beginning
of
his
chastisement.
744
vegetarianism
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The theory or practice of living upon vegetables and fruits.
Difficulty: 17.39
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15324
It
was
an
efficient
and
environmentally
benign
method
of
waste
disposal,
but
the
sight
of
those
pigs,
feasting,
was
an
eloquent
argument
in
favor
of
vegetarianism.
745
enlivening
prev
next
Definition (enliven)
Definition (enliven)
1. To give life, action, or motion to; to make vigorous or active; to excite; to quicken; as, fresh fuel enlivens a fire. Lo! of themselves th' enlivened chessmen move. Cowley. 2. To give spirit or vivacity to; to make sprightly, gay, or cheerful; to animate; as, mirth and good humor enliven a company; enlivening strains of music. Syn. -- To animate; rouse; inspire; cheer; encourage; comfort; exhilarate; inspirit; invigorate.
"inspirit": To infuse new life or spirit into; to animate; to encourage; to invigorate. The courage of Agamemnon is inspirited by the love of empire and ambition. Pope. Syn. -- To enliven; invigorate; exhilarate; animate; cheer; encourage; inspire.
"invigorate": To give vigor to; to strengthen; to animate; to give life and energy to. Christian graces and virtues they can not be, unless fed, invigorated, and animated by universal charity. Atterbury. Syn. -- To refresh; animate; exhilarate; stimulate.
"exhilarate": To make merry or jolly; to enliven; to animate; to gladden greatly; to cheer; as, good news exhilarates the mind; wine exhilarates a man.
To become joyous. [R.] Bacon.
"sprightly": Sprightlike, or spiritlike; lively; brisk; animated; vigorous; airy; gay; as, a sprightly youth; a sprightly air; a sprightly dance. "Sprightly wit and love inspires." Dryden. The sprightly Sylvia trips along the green. Pope.
"quicken": 1. To make alive; to vivify; to revive or resuscitate, as from death or an inanimate state; hence, to excite; to, stimulate; to incite. The mistress which I serve quickens what's dead. Shak. Like a fruitful garden without an hedge, that quickens the appetite to enjoy so tempting a prize. South. 2. To make lively, active, or sprightly; to impart additional energy to; to stimulate; to make quick or rapid; to hasten; to accelerate; as, to quicken one's steps or thoughts; to quicken one's departure or speed. 3. (Shipbuilding) To shorten the radius of (a curve); to make (a curve) sharper; as, to quicken the sheer, that is, to make its curve more pronounced. Syn. -- To revive; resuscitate; animate; reinvigorate; vivify; refresh; stimulate; sharpen; incite; hasten; accelerate; expedite; dispatch; speed.
1. To come to life; to become alive; to become vivified or enlivened; hence, to exhibit signs of life; to move, as the fetus in the womb. The heart is the first part that quickens, and the last that dies. Ray. And keener lightnings quicken in her eye. Pope. When the pale and bloodless east began To quicken to the sun. Tennyson. 2. To move with rapidity or activity; to become accelerated; as, his pulse quickened.
"vivacity": The quality or state of being vivacious. Specifically: -- (a) Tenacity of life; vital force; natural vigor. [Obs.] The vivacity of some of these pensioners is little less than a miracle, they lived so long. Fuller. (b) Life; animation; spiritedness; liveliness; sprightliness; as, the vivacity of a discourse; a lady of great vivacity; vivacity of countenance. Syn. -- Liveliness; gayety. See Liveliness.
Difficulty: 17.39
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15861
The
heart-squeezing,
enlivening
exhilaration
of
it
was
so
powerful
that
it
wasn’t
until
an
hour
later,
when
we
entered
Abdul
Ghani’s
passport
workshop,
that
I
could
give
my
full
attention
to
the
man
and
the
moment
that
we
shared.
746
goatskins
prev
next
Definition (goatskin)
Definition (goatskin)
The skin of a goat, or leather made from it. -- a. Made of the skin of a goat.
Difficulty: 17.39
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21208
The
baggage—the
goods
we
were
smuggling
into
Afghanistan,
and
our
personal
supplies—was
scattered
in
a
nearby
pasture,
covered
by
sheepskins
and
goatskins
to
give
the
appearance,
if
seen
from
the
air,
of
a
herd
of
livestock.
747
exhorting
prev
next
Definition (exhort)
Definition (exhort)
To incite by words or advice; to animate or urge by arguments, as to a good deed or laudable conduct; to address exhortation to; to urge strongly; hence, to advise, warn, or caution. Examples gross as earth exhort me. Shak. Let me exhort you to take care of yourself. J. D. Forbes.
To deliver exhortation; to use words or arguments to incite to good deeds. With many other words did he testify and exhort. Acts ii. 40.
Exhortation. [Obs.] Pope.
"laudable": 1. Worthy of being lauded; praiseworthy; commendable; as, laudable motives; laudable actions; laudable ambition. 2. (Med.) Healthy; salubrious; normal; having a disposition to promote healing; not noxious; as, laudable juices of the body; laudable pus. Arbuthnot.
"exhortation": 1. The act of practice of exhorting; the act of inciting to laudable deeds; incitement to that which is good or commendable. 2. Language intended to incite and encourage; advice; counsel; admonition. I'll end my exhortation after dinner. Shak.
Difficulty: 17.37
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3907
She
harangued
those
who
wanted
to
appease
the
dacoits,
exhorting
them
to
resist
and
fight
and
kill,
if
necessary,
in
defence
of
their
lives
and
their
land.
748
assiduously
prev
next
Definition (assiduous)
Definition (assiduous)
1. Constant in application or attention; devoted; attentive; unremitting. She grows more assiduous in her attendance. Addison. 2. Performed with constant diligence or attention; unremitting; persistent; as, assiduous labor. To weary him with my assiduous cries. Milton. Syn. -- Diligent; attentive; sedulous; unwearied; unintermitted; persevering; laborious; indefatigable. As*sid"u*ous*ly, adv. -- As*sid"u*ous*ness, n.
"laborious": 1. Requiring labor, perseverance, or sacrifices; toilsome; tiresome. Dost thou love watchings, abstinence, or toil, Laborious virtues all Learn these from Cato. Addison. 2. Devoted to labor; diligent; industrious; as, a laborious mechanic. -- La*bo"ri*ous*ly, adv. -- La*bo"ri*ous*ness, n.
"sedulous": Diligent in application or pursuit; constant, steady, and persevering in business, or in endeavors to effect an object; steadily industrious; assiduous; as, the sedulous bee. What signifies the sound of words in prayer, without the affection of the heart, and a sedulous application of the proper means that may naturally lead us to such an end L'Estrange. Syn. -- Assiduous; diligent; industrious; laborious; unremitting; untiring; unwearied; persevering. -- Sed"u*lous*ly, adv. -- Sed"u*lous*ness, n.
"persevering": Characterized by perseverance; persistent. -- Per`se*ver"ing*ly, adv.
"unremitting": Not remitting; incessant; continued; persevering; as, unremitting exertions. Cowper. -- Un`re*mit"ting*ly, adv. -- Un`re*mit"ting*ness, n.
"unwearied": Not wearied; not fatigued or tired; hence, persistent; not tiring or wearying; indefatigable. -- Un*wea"ried*ly, adv. -- Un*wea"ried*ness, n.
"indefatigable": Incapable of being fatigued; not readily exhausted; unremitting in labor or effort; untiring; unwearying; not yielding to fatigue; as, indefatigable exertions, perseverance, application. "A constant, indefatigable attendance." South. Upborne with indefatigable wings. Milton. Syn. -- Unwearied; untiring; persevering; persistent.
Difficulty: 17.37
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 5403
I
gave
myself
assiduously
to
the
role
of
slum
doctor.
749
enrolment
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.37
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6235
He
said
that
Khaderbhai
had
taken
especially
gifted
slum
children
from
several
slums
throughout
the
city,
and
paid
for
their
enrolment
in
private
colleges.
750
obsessional
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.37
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11147
Patience
and
obsessional
focus
are
the
gems
we
mine
in
the
tunnels
of
prison
solitude.
751
kalinga
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.37
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15343
I
ate
the
delicious
sweet
kalinga,
spitting
the
seeds
onto
the
sand.
752
disinterments
prev
next
Definition (interment)
Definition (interment)
The act or ceremony of depositing a dead body in the earth; burial; sepulture; inhumation. T. Warton.
"sepulture": 1. The act of depositing the dead body of a human being in the grave; burial; interment. Where we may royal sepulture prepare. Dryden. 2. A sepulcher; a grave; a place of burial. Drunkeness that the horrible sepulture of man's reason. Chaucer.
"inhumation": 1. The act of inhuming or burying; interment. 2. (Old Chem.) The act of burying vessels in warm earth in order to expose their contents to a steady moderate heat; the state of being thus exposed. 3. (Med.) Arenation.
Difficulty: 17.37
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15494
After
numerous
burials
and
disinterments,
the
much-exhumed
body
of
St.
Francis
was
finally
installed
in
the
Basilica
of
Bom
Jesus,
in
Goa,
in
the
early
seventeenth
century.
753
ampoule
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.37
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 22833
After
dressing
his
wounds,
I
gave
both
men
a
shot
of
penicillin
and
an
ampoule
of
morphine.
754
cerise
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Cherry-colored; a light bright red; --- applied to textile fabrics, especially silk.
Difficulty: 17.37
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26046
The
setting
sun,
that
funeral
fire
in
the
sky,
seared
my
eyes,
and
I
looked
away
to
follow
the
last
flares
of
cerise
and
magenta
streaming
out
and
fading
in
the
ocean-mirrored
sapphire
of
the
evening.
755
gunnels
prev
next
Definition (gunnel)
Definition (gunnel)
1. A gunwale. 2. (Zoöl.) A small, eel-shaped, marine fish of the genus Murænoides; esp., M. gunnellus of Europe and America; -- called also gunnel fish, butterfish, rock eel.
"butterfish": A name given to several different fishes, in allusion to their slippery coating of mucus, as the Stromateus triacanthus of the Atlantic coast, the Epinephelus punctatus of the southern coast, the rock eel, and the kelpfish of New Zealand.
"gunwale": The upper edge of a vessel's or boat's side; the uppermost wale of a ship (not including the bulwarks); or that piece of timber which reaches on either side from the quarter-deck to the forecastle, being the uppermost bend, which finishes the upper works of the hull. [Written also gunnel.]
Difficulty: 17.37
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 28090
Only
the
prow
and
a
few
metres
of
the
long
boat’s
gunnels
protruded
from
the
surrounding
waves
of
sand.
756
scrutinised
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.35
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3855
When
I
learned
to
speak
her
language
well
enough,
she
told
me
with
disarming
candour
how
disappointed
she’d
been
when
she’d
scrutinised
Kishan
for
the
first
time.
757
hesitancy
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The act of hesitating, or pausing to consider; slowness in deciding; vacillation; also, the manner of one who hesitates. 2. A stammering; a faltering in speech.
"faltering": Hesitating; trembling. "With faltering speech." Milton. -- n. Falter; halting; hesitation. -- Fal"ter*ing*ly, adv.
"vacillation": 1. The act of vacillating; a moving one way and the other; a wavering. His vacillations, or an alternation of knowledge and doubt. Jer. Taylor.
"slowness": The quality or state of being slow.
Difficulty: 17.35
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 5594
But
there
was
hesitancy
as
well—a
kind
of
reluctance—as
if,
despite
everything
in
their
talk
and
smiles,
they
didn’t
really
like
or
trust
him.
758
fatalism
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The doctrine that all things are subject to fate, or that they take place by inevitable necessity.
Difficulty: 17.34
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 815
In
fact,
in
recent
months
I’d
found
myself
reacting
with
a
quirky
fatalism
to
the
new
names
I
was
forced
to
adopt,
in
one
place
or
another,
and
to
the
new
names
that
others
gave
me.
759
floodwaters
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.34
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11953
The
floodwaters
were
deep
that
year—they
reached
to
the
second
step
from
the
top—and
cars
were
floating,
drifting
helplessly,
and
bumping
together
near
the
wall
surrounding
the
great
arch
of
the
Gateway
of
India
monument.
760
thumbtack
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.34
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12637
I
sat
up,
scratching
at
my
back
to
find
an
insect
about
the
size
of
a
small
thumbtack
attached
to
my
skin.
761
coiffure
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A headdress, or manner of dressing the hair. Addison.
Difficulty: 17.34
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17613
Her
long,
curly
blonde
hair
was
pulled
back
from
her
face,
and
held
in
an
elegant
coiffure
that
complemented
the
decorousness
of
her
modest,
ivory-coloured
pantsuit.
762
castrato
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A male person castrated for the purpose of improving his voice for singing; an artificial, or male, soprano. Swift.
Difficulty: 17.32
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8393
He’s
a
eunuch,
a
castrato,
and
a
lot
creepier
than
he
looks,’
she
whispered
enigmatically.
763
sequitur
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.32
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 10125
‘Yeah,
I
know
who
you’re
talking
about,’
I
said
testily,
irritated
by
the
conversational
non
sequitur.
764
admonition
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Gentle or friendly reproof; counseling against a fault or error; expression of authoritative advice; friendly caution or warning. Syn. -- Admonition, Reprehension, Reproof. Admonition is prospective, and relates to moral delinquencies; its object is to prevent further transgression. Reprehension and reproof are retrospective, the former being milder than the latter. A person of any age or station may be liable to reprehension in case of wrong conduct; but reproof is the act of a superior. It is authoritative fault-finding or censure addressed to children or to inferiors.
"reproof": 1. Refutation; confutation; contradiction. [Obs.] 2. An expression of blame or censure; especially, blame expressed to the face; censure for a fault; chiding; reproach. Those best can bear reproof who merit praise. Pope. Syn. -- Admonition; reprehension; chiding; reprimand; rebuke; censure; blame. See Admonition.
"reprehension": Reproof; censure; blame; disapproval. This Basilius took as though his mistress had given him a secret reprehension that he had not showed more gratefulness to Dorus. Sir P. Sidney. Syn. -- Censure; reproof; reprimand. See Admonition.
Difficulty: 17.32
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 22279
It
seemed
such
a
condescending
admonition
to
me
then:
he
knew
nothing
about
my
father
or
my
relationship
to
him.
765
rappling
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.32
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23700
I
felt
the
sobbing
in
my
chest
like
a
river
rappling
and
rolling
against
worn
and
rounded
rocks,
on
and
on
and
on.
766
recidivist
prev
next
Definition
Definition
One who is recidivous or is characterized by recidivism; an incorrigible criminal. -- Re*cid`i*vis"tic (#), a. The criminal by passion never becomes a recidivist, it is the social, not the antisocial, instincts that are strong within him, his crime is a solitary event in his life. Havelock Ellis.
"havelock": A light cloth covering for the head and neck, used by soldiers as a protection from sunstroke.
"recidivism": The state or quality of being recidivous; relapse, specif. (Criminology), a falling back or relapse into prior criminal habits, esp. after conviction and punishment. The old English system of recognizances, in which the guilty party deposits a sum of money, is an excellent guarantee to society against recidivism. Havelock Ellis.
"recidivous": Tending or liable to backslide or r
Difficulty: 17.32
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27108
At
least
he’s
not
a
recidivist.’
767
corollary
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. That which is given beyond what is actually due, as a garland of flowers in addition to wages; surplus; something added or superfluous. [Obs.] Now come, my Ariel; bring a corollary, Rather than want a spirit. Shak. 2. Something which follows from the demonstration of a proposition; an additional inference or deduction from a demonstrated proposition; a consequence.
Difficulty: 17.30
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1708
Didier’s
corollary
to
the
rule
was:
always
know
what
the
other
thinks
of
you.
768
daubs
prev
next
Definition (daub)
Definition (daub)
1. To smear with soft, adhesive matter, as pitch, slime, mud, etc.; to plaster; to bedaub; to besmear. She took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch. Ex. ii. 3. 2. To paint in a coarse or unskillful manner. If a picture is daubed with many bright and glaring colors, the vulgar admire it is an excellent piece. I. Watts. A lame, imperfect piece, rudely daubed over. Dryden. 3. To cover with a specious or deceitful exterior; to disguise; to conceal. So smooth he daubed his vice with show of virtue. Shak. 4. To flatter excessively or glossy. [R.] I can safely say, however, that, without any daubing at all, I am very sincerely your very affectionate, humble servant. Smollett. 5. To put on without taste; to deck gaudily. [R.] Let him be daubed with lace. Dryden.
To smear; to play the flatterer. His conscience . . . will not daub nor flatter. South.
1. A viscous, sticky application; a spot smeared or dabed; a smear. 2. (Paint.) A picture coarsely executed. Did you . . . take a look at the grand picture . . . 'T is a melancholy daub, my lord. Sterne.
"daubing": 1. The act of one who daubs; that which is daubed. 2. A rough coat of mortar put upon a wall to give it the appearance of stone; rough-cast. 3. In currying, a mixture of fish oil and tallow worked into leather; -- called also dubbing. Knight.
"bedaub": To daub over; to besmear or soil with anything thick and dirty. Bedaub foul designs with a fair varnish. Barrow.
"viscous": Adhesive or sticky, and having a ropy or glutinous consistency; viscid; glutinous; clammy; tenacious; as, a viscous juice. -- Vis"cous*ness, n. Note: There is no well-defined distinction in meaning between viscous and viscid.
"besmear": To smear with any viscous, glutinous matter; to bedaub; to soil. Besmeared with precious balm. Spenser.
"coarsely": In a coarse manner; roughly; rudely; inelegantly; uncivilly; meanly.
"gaudily": In a gaudy manner. Guthrie.
"unskillful": 1. Not skillful; inexperienced; awkward; bungling; as, an unskillful surgeon or mechanic; an unskillful logician. 2. Lacking discernment; injudicious; ignorant. Though it make the unskillful laugh, can not but make the judicious grieve. Shak. -- Un*skill"ful*ly, adv. -- Un*skill"ful*ness, n.
"specious": 1. Presenting a pleasing appearance; pleasing in form or look; showy. Some [serpents] specious and beautiful to the eye. Bp. Richardson. The rest, far greater part, Will deem in outward rites and specious forms Religion satisfied. Milton. 2. Apparently right; superficially fair, just, or correct, but not so in reality; appearing well at first view; plausible; as, specious reasoning; a specious argument. Misled for a moment by the specious names of religion, liberty, and property. Macaulay. In consequence of their greater command of specious expression. J. Morley. Syn. -- Plausible; showy; ostensible; colorable; feasible. See Plausible. -- Spe"xious*ly, adv. -- Spe"cious*ness, n.
Difficulty: 17.30
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11755
I
knew
the
small
daubs
of
colour
she’d
excluded
from
her
summary
were
at
least
as
important
as
the
broad
strokes
she’d
included.
769
daubing
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The act of one who daubs; that which is daubed. 2. A rough coat of mortar put upon a wall to give it the appearance of stone; rough-cast. 3. In currying, a mixture of fish oil and tallow worked into leather; -- called also dubbing. Knight.
"tallow": 1. The suet or fat of animals of the sheep and ox kinds, separated from membranous and fibrous matter by melting. Note: The solid consistency of tallow is due to the large amount of stearin it contains. See Fat. 2. The fat of some other animals, or the fat obtained from certain plants, or from other sources, resembling the fat of animals of the sheep and ox kinds. Tallow candle, a candle made of tallow. -- Tallow catch, a keech. See Keech. [Obs.] -- Tallow chandler, one whose occupation is to make, or to sell, tallow candles. -- Tallow chandlery, the trade of a tallow chandler; also, the place where his business is carried on. -- Tallow tree (Bot.), a tree (Stillingia sebifera) growing in China, the seeds of which are covered with a substance which resembles tallow and is applied to the same purposes.
1. To grease or smear with tallow. 2. To cause to have a large quantity of tallow; to fatten; as, tallow sheep.
Difficulty: 17.30
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20647
And
in
the
instant
of
thinking
that
thought,
in
the
moment
of
daubing
the
unspoken
words
on
a
grey
wall
of
my
mind—death
wish—I
rejected
it,
with
a
shudder
that
shivered
across
the
surface
of
my
skin.
770
swathe
prev
next
Definition
Definition
To bind with a swathe, band, bandage, or rollers. Their children are never swathed or bound about with any thing when they are first born. Abp. Abbot.
A bandage; a band; a swath. Wrapped me in above an hundred yards of swathe. Addison. Milk and a swathe, at first, his whole demand. Young. The solemn glory of the afternoon, with its long swathes of light between the far off rows of limes. G. Eliot.
"swath": 1. A line of grass or grain cut and thrown together by the scythe in mowing or cradling. 2. The whole sweep of a scythe, or the whole breadth from which grass or grain is cut by a scythe or a machine, in mowing or cradling; as, to cut a wide swath. 3. A band or fillet; a swathe. Shak. Swath bank, a row of new-mown grass. [Prov. Eng.]
Difficulty: 17.30
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 22165
And
at
night,
enclosed
within
the
breathing,
snoring
swathe
of
their
soldier-scented
sleep—smells
of
wood-smoke,
gun
oil,
cheap
sandalwood
soap,
piss,
shit,
sweat
soaking
into
wet-serge,
unwashed
human
and
horse
hair,
liniment
and
saddle-softener,
cumin
and
coriander,
peppermint
tooth
powder,
chai,
tobacco,
and
a
hundred
others—I
dreamed
with
them
of
homes
and
hearts
we
longed
to
see
again.
771
garrulous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Talking much, especially about commonplace or trivial things; talkative; loquacious. The most garrulous people on earth. De Quincey. 2. (Zoöl.) Having a loud, harsh note; noisy; -- said of birds; as, the garrulous roller. Syn. -- Garrulous, Talkative, Loquacious. A garrulous person indulges in long, prosy talk, with frequent repetitions and lengthened details; talkative implies simply a great desire to talk; and loquacious a great flow of words at command. A child is talkative; a lively woman is loquacious; an old man in his dotage is garrulous. -- Gar"ru*lous*ly, adv. -- Gar"ru*lous*ness, n.
"loquacious": 1. Given to continual talking; talkative; garrulous. Loquacious, brawling, ever in the wrong. Dryden. 2. Speaking; expressive. [R.] J. Philips. 3. Apt to blab and disclose secrets. Syn. -- Garrulous; talkative. See Garrulous.
"dotage": 1. Feebleness or imbecility of understanding or mind, particularly in old age; the childishness of old age; senility; as, a venerable man, now in his dotage. Capable of distinguishing between the infancy and the dotage of Greek literature. Macaulay. 2. Foolish utterance; drivel. The sapless dotages of old Paris and Salamanca. Milton. 3. Excessive fondness; weak and foolish affection. The dotage of the nation on presbytery. Bp. Burnet.
"prosy": 1. Of or pertaining to prose; like prose. 2. Dull and tedious in discourse or writing; prosaic.
Difficulty: 17.30
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 25490
Even
Andrew,
amiable
and
garrulous
young
Andrew,
had
fired
his
Beretta
at
a
cornered
enemy—one
of
the
Sapna
killers—and
emptied
all
seven
rounds
of
the
magazine
into
the
man’s
chest
until
he
was,
as
Sanjay
would’ve
said,
two
or
three
times
dead.
772
torpor
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Loss of motion, or of the motion; a state of inactivity with partial or total insensibility; numbness. 2. Dullness; sluggishness; inactivity; as, a torpor of the mental faculties.
"inactivity": 1. The state or quality of being inactive; inertness; as, the inactivity of matter. 2. Idleness; habitual indisposition to action or exertion; want of energy; sluggishness. The gloomy inactivity of despair. Cook.
"insensibility": 1. The state or quality of being insensible; want of sensibility; torpor; unconsciousness; as, the insensibility produced by a fall, or by opiates. 2. Want of tenderness or susceptibility of emotion or passion; dullness; stupidity. Syn. -- Dullness; numbness; unfeelingness; stupidity; torpor; apathy; impassiveness; indifference.
"dullness": The state of being dull; slowness; stupidity; heaviness; drowsiness; bluntness; obtuseness; dimness; want of luster; want of vividness, or of brightness. [Written also dulness.] And gentle dullness ever loves a joke. Pope.
Difficulty: 17.29
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3908
Astonished
as
much
by
her
sudden
animation,
after
two
years
of
grief’s
torpor,
as
by
her
martial
speech,
the
villagers
were
inspirited.
773
joists
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next
Definition (joist)
Definition (joist)
A piece of timber laid horizontally, or nearly so, to which the planks of the floor, or the laths or furring strips of a ceiling, are nailed; -- called, according to its position or use, binding joist, bridging joist, ceiling joist, trimming joist, etc. See Illust. of Double-framed floor, under Double, a.
To fit or furnish with joists. Johnson.
"bridging": The system of bracing used between floor or other timbers to distribute the weight. Bridging joist. Same as Binding joist.
"furring": 1. (Carp.) (a) The leveling of a surface, or the preparing of an air space, by means of strips of board or of larger pieces. See Fur, v. t., 3. (b) The strips thus laid on. 2. (Shipbuilding) Double planking of a ship's side. 3. A deposit from water, as on the inside of a boiler; also, the operation of cleaning away this deposit.
Difficulty: 17.29
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 5265
I
scrabbled
around
with
my
hands
in
the
dust,
between
the
roof
joists,
and
found
the
cigarette
lighter.
774
frugality
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The quality of being frugal; prudent economy; that careful management of anything valuable which expends nothing unnecessarily, and applies what is used to a profitable purpose; thrift; --- opposed to extravagance. Frugality is founded on the principle that all riches have limits. Burke. 2. A sparing use; sparingness; as, frugality of praise. Syn. -- Economy; parsimony. See Economy.
"parsimony": Closeness or sparingness in the expenditure of money; -- generally in a bad sense; excessive frugality; niggardliness. Bacon. Awful parsimony presided generally at the table. Thackeray. Syn. -- Economy; frugality; illiberality; covetousness; closeness; stinginess. See Economy.
Difficulty: 17.29
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 10534
It
was
the
awful
and
beautiful
frugality
of
snake
and
scorpion.
775
peptide
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.29
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20093
The
endorphins
are
peptide
neurotransmitters
that
have
pain-relieving
properties.
776
roulade
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A smoothly running passage of short notes (as semiquavers, or sixteenths) uniformly grouped, sung upon one long syllable, as in Handel's oratorios.
"uniformly": In a uniform manner; without variation or diversity; by a regular, constant, or common ratio of change; with even tenor; as, a temper uniformly mild. To vary uniformly (Math.), to vary with the ratio of the corresponding increments constant; -- said of two dependent quantities with regard to each other.
Difficulty: 17.27
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1998
I
allowed
myself
to
be
drawn
by
the
soft
pleading
of
the
waves,
and
the
roulade
of
her
voice;
by
the
black
sky,
and
the
darker
night
of
her
hair;
by
the
sea-tree-stone
smell
of
the
sleeping
street,
and
the
perfume
sublime
on
her
warm
skin.
777
certitude
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Freedom from doubt; assurance; certainty. J. H. Newman.
Difficulty: 17.27
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 14786
There
was
such
apodictic
certitude
in
Khader’s
every
pronouncement,
such
a
decisive,
incontrovertible
assurance
in
the
man,
that
it
informed
and
composed
even
his
stillnesses
and
silences.
778
imperishable
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Not perisha ble; not subject to decay; indestructible; enduringpermanently; as, an imperishable monument; imperishable renown. -- Im*per"ish*a*ble*ness, n. -- Im*per"ish*a*bly, adv.
Difficulty: 17.27
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 16320
And
I
danced
on
that
steel
serpent
as
it
slithered
sinuous
beside
the
scroll
and
swell
of
the
endless,
imperishable
sea.
779
profligate
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Overthrown; beaten; conquered. [Obs.] The foe is profligate, and run. Hudibras. 2. Broken down in respect of rectitude, principle, virtue, or decency; openly and shamelessly immoral or vicious; dissolute; as, profligate man or wretch. A race more profligate than we. Roscommon. Made prostitute and profligate muse. Dryden. Syn. -- Abandoned; corrupt; dissolute; vitiated; depraved; vicious; wicked. See Abandoned.
An abandoned person; one openly and shamelessly vicious; a dissolute person. "Such a profligate as Antony." Swift.
To drive away; to overcome. Note: [A Latinism] [Obs.] Harvey.
"rectitude": 1. Straightness. [R.] Johnson. 2. Rightness of principle or practice; exact conformity to truth, or to the rules prescribed for moral conduct, either by divine or human laws; uprightness of mind; uprightness; integrity; honesty; justice. 3. Right judgment. [R.] Sir G. C. Lewis. Syn. -- See Justice.
"dissolute": 1. With nerves unstrung; weak. [Obs.] Spenser. 2. Loosed from restraint; esp., loose in morals and conduct; recklessly abandoned to sensual pleasures; profligate; wanton; lewd; debauched. "A wild and dissolute soldier." Motley. Syn. -- Uncurbed; unbridled; disorderly; unrestrained; reckless; wild; wanton; vicious; lax; licentious; lewd;
"latinism": A Latin idiom; a mode of speech peculiar to Latin; also, a mode of speech in another language, as English, formed on a Latin model. Note: The term is also sometimes used by Biblical scholars to designate a Latin word in Greek letters, or the Latin sense of a Greek word in the Greek Testament.
Difficulty: 17.27
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18093
The
remnants
of
his
family
cast
him
out,
no
less
for
his
penury
than
for
the
many
scandals
that
had
pursued
his
profligate
progress
through
the
Middle
East
and
Asia.
780
convulsive
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Producing, or attended with, convulsions or spasms; characterized by convulsions; convulsionary. An irregular, convulsive movement may be necessary to throw off an irregular, convulsive disease. Burke.
"convulsionary": Pertaining to convulsion; convulsive. "Convulsionary struggles." Sir W. Scott.
A convulsionist.
Difficulty: 17.27
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20065
Diarrhoea
shook
me
with
convulsive
spasms.
781
surmount
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. To rise above; to be higher than; to overtop. The mountains of Olympus, Athos, and Atlas, overreach and surmount all winds and clouds. Sir W. Raleigh. 2. To conquer; to overcome; as, to surmount difficulties or obstacles. Macaulay. 3. To surpass; to exceed. Spenser. What surmounts the reach Of human sense I shall delineate. Milton. Syn. -- To conquer; overcome; vanquish; subdue; surpass; exceed.
"overreach": 1. To reach above or beyond in any direction. 2. To deceive, or get the better of, by artifice or cunning; to outwit; to cheat. Shak.
1. To reach too far; as: (a) To strike the toe of the hind foot against the heel or shoe of the forefoot; -- said of horses. (b) (Naut.) To sail on one tack farther than is necessary. Shak. 2. To cheat by cunning or deception.
The act of striking the heel of the fore foot with the toe of the hind foot; -- said of horses.
"overtop": 1. To rise above the top of; to exceed in height; to tower above. "To old Pelion." Shak. 2. To go beyond; to transcend; to transgress. If kings presume to overtop the law by which they reign, . . . they are by law to be reduced into order. Milton. 3. To make of less importance, or throw into the background, by superior excellence; to dwarf; to obscure. Becon.
"delineate": Delineated; portrayed. [R.]
1. To indicate by lines drawn in the form or figure of; to represent by sketch, design, or diagram; to sketch out; to portray; to picture; in drawing and engraving, to represent in lines, as with the pen, pencil, or graver; hence, to represent with accuracy and minuteness. See Delineation. Adventurous to delineate nature's form. Akenside. 2. To portray to the mind or understanding by words; to set forth; to describe. Customs or habits delineated with great accuracy. Walpole.
Difficulty: 17.27
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 25488
And
there
was
another
difference
between
the
men
in
that
group
and
me—a
difference
so
profound
that
friendship,
on
its
own,
couldn’t
surmount
it.
782
sterilise
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.25
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9319
When
the
water
boiled,
I
put
a
little
into
a
dish,
and
threw
two
needles
into
the
pot
to
sterilise
them
with
further
boiling.
783
korma
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.25
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11992
We
ate
chicken
byriani,
malai
kofta,
vegetable
korma,
rice,
curried
vegetables,
deep
fried
pieces
of
pumpkin,
potato,
onion,
and
cauliflower,
hot
buttered
naan
bread,
dhal,
papadams,
and
green
mango
chutney.
784
capitalise
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.25
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27456
The
Sapna-Iran
connection,
all
survivors
from
Abdul
Ghani’s
treacherous
attempted
coup,
had
learned
of
the
hostility
between
the
councils,
and
had
appeared
at
just
the
right
moment
to
capitalise
on
Chuha’s
greed
and
ambition.
785
accusatory
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Pertaining to, or containing, an accusation; as, an accusatory libel. Grote.
"grote": A groat. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Difficulty: 17.24
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 160
Two
pairs
of
clear,
pale-blue
eyes
stared
at
me
with
the
vague,
almost
accusatory
censure
of
those
who’ve
convinced
themselves
that
they’ve
found
the
one
true
path.
786
truncated
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Cut off; cut short; maimed. 2. (Min.) Replaced, or cut off, by a plane, especially when equally inclined to the adjoining faces; as, a truncated edge. 3. (Zoöl.) Lacking the apex; -- said of certain spiral shells in which the apex naturally drops off. Truncated cone or pyramid (Geom.), a cone or pyramid whose vertex is cut off by a plane, the plane being usually parallel to the base.
"vertex": A turning point; the principal or highest point; top; summit; crown; apex. Specifically: --(a) (Anat.) The top, or crown, of the head. (b) (Anat.) The zenith, or the point of the heavens directly overhead. (c) (Math.) The point in any figure opposite to, and farthest from, the base; the terminating point of some particular line or lines in a figure or a curve; the top, or the point opposite the base. Note: The principal vertex of a conic section is, in the parabola, the vertex of the axis of the curve: in the ellipse, either extremity of either axis, but usually the left-hand vertex of the transverse axis; in the hyperbola, either vertex, but usually the right-hand vertex of the transverse axis. Vertex of a curve (Math.), the point in which the axis of the curve intersects it. -- Vertex of an angle (Math.), the point in which the sides of the angle meet. -- Vertex of a solid, or of a surface of revolution (Math.), the point in which the axis pierces the surface.
Difficulty: 17.22
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20333
When
he
tried
to
speak
English,
the
words
came
out
in
awkward,
truncated
couplets,
top-heavy
with
meanings
and
tottering
on
small
feet
of
blunt
sense.
787
basmati
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.22
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23911
There
were
so
many
strong
smells,
one
upon
another,
that
my
senses
rejected
them
and
concentrated
on
one
particularly
pungent
aroma:
the
unmistakable
smell
of
perfumed
Indian
basmati
rice,
cooking
somewhere
close
to
the
tent.
788
tradeoff
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.22
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 25044
They
saw
it
as
a
reasonable
tradeoff:
excitement
and
power
and
wealth
enough
to
provide
for
their
families,
balanced
against
short
lives
that
rushed
into
the
dead-end
of
a
knife
or
a
gun.
789
customarily
prev
next
Definition
Definition
In a customary manner; habitually.
Difficulty: 17.22
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26189
Fifty
rupees
was
the
same
amount,
I
knew,
that
Sanjay
customarily
tipped
waiters
and
better-than-average
cab
drivers.
790
cadenza
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A parenthetic flourish or flight of ornament in the course of a piece, commonly just before the final cadence.
"parenthetic": 1. Of the nature of a parenthesis; pertaining to, or expressed in, or as in, a parenthesis; as, a parenthetical clause; a parenthetic remark. A parenthetical observation of Moses himself. Hales. 2. Using or containing parentheses.
Difficulty: 17.21
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 263
Other
bags
began
tumbling
to
the
pavement
in
an
ominous
cadenza
of
creaks
and
crashes.
791
skeined
prev
next
Definition (skein)
Definition (skein)
1. A quantity of yarn, thread, or the like, put up together, after it is taken from the reel, -- usually tied in a sort of knot. Note: A skein of cotton yarn is formed by eighty turns of the thread round a fifty-four inch reel. 2. (Wagon Making) A metallic strengthening band or thimble on the wooden arm of an axle. Knight.
A flight of wild fowl (wild geese or the like). [Prov. Eng.]
Difficulty: 17.21
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2286
And
skeined
over
all
the
buildings
like
metal
cobwebs
were
complicated
traceries
of
electrical
conduits
and
wires,
as
if
even
that
symbol
and
source
of
the
modern
age
and
its
power
was
no
more
than
a
fragile,
temporary
net
that
might
be
swept
away
by
a
rough
gesture.
792
cadenzas
prev
next
Definition (cadenza)
Definition (cadenza)
A parenthetic flourish or flight of ornament in the course of a piece, commonly just before the final cadence.
"parenthetic": 1. Of the nature of a parenthesis; pertaining to, or expressed in, or as in, a parenthesis; as, a parenthetical clause; a parenthetic remark. A parenthetical observation of Moses himself. Hales. 2. Using or containing parentheses.
Difficulty: 17.21
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 5925
It
was
a
lush,
tripartite
harmony
built
upon
a
simple
melody
and
improvised
cadenzas.
793
reverberations
prev
next
Definition (reverberation)
Definition (reverberation)
The act of reverberating; especially, the act of reflecting light or heat, or reëchoing sound; as, the reverberation of rays from a mirror; the reverberation of rays from a mirror; the reverberation of voices; the reverberation of heat or flame in a furnace.
Difficulty: 17.21
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6954
Across
that
half-metre
of
air,
I
felt
the
reverberations
of
the
feral
noise
throb
against
my
chest.
794
masterwork
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.19
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2658
The
man
was
a
genius
of
the
corruptions,
my
finest
student,
my
masterwork.
795
stupefying
prev
next
Definition (stupefy)
Definition (stupefy)
1. To make stupid; to make dull; to blunt the faculty of perception or understanding in; to deprive of sensibility; to make torpid. The fumes of drink discompose and stupefy the brain. South. 2. To deprive of material mobility. [Obs.] It is not malleable; but yet is not fluent, but stupefied. Bacon.
"torpid": 1. Having lost motion, or the power of exertion and feeling; numb; benumbed; as, a torpid limb. Without heat all things would be torpid. Ray. 2. Dull; stupid; sluggish; inactive. Sir M. Hale.
"stupefied": Having been made stupid.
"discompose": 1. To disarrange; to interfere with; to disturb; to disorder; to unsettle; to break up. Or discomposed the headdress of a prude. Pope. 2. To throw into disorder; to ruffle; to destroy the composure or equanimity; to agitate. Opposition . . . discomposeth the mind's serenity. Glanvill. 3. To put out of place or service; to discharge; to displace. [Obs.] Bacon. Syn. -- To disorder; derange; unsettle; disturb; disconcert; agitate; ruffle; fret; vex.
Difficulty: 17.19
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3589
The
expression
on
those
faces
was
always
the
same—frank,
stupefying,
goggle-eyed
amazement.
796
peremptory
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Precluding debate or expostulation; not admitting of question or appeal; positive; absolute; decisive; conclusive; final. Think of heaven with hearty purposes and peremptory designs to get thither. Jer. Taylor. 2. Positive in opinion or judgment; decided; dictatorial; dogmatical. Be not too positive and peremptory. Bacon. Briefly, then, for we are peremptory. Shak. 3. Firmly determined; unawed. [Poetic] Shak. Peremptory challenge (Law) See under Challenge. -- Peremptory mandamus, a final and absolute mandamus. -- Peremptory plea, a plea by a defendant tending to impeach the plaintiff's right of action; a plea in bar. Syn. -- Decisive; positive; absolute; authoritative; express; arbitrary; dogmatical.
"mandamus": A writ issued by a superior court and directed to some inferior tribunal, or to some corporation or person exercising authority, commanding the performance of some specified duty.
"dictatorial": 1. Pertaining or suited to a dictator; absolute. Military powers quite dictatorial. W. Irving. 2. Characteristic of a dictator; imperious; dogmatical; overbearing; as, a dictatorial tone or manner. -- Dic`ta*to"ri*al*ly, adv. -- Dic`ta*to"ri*al*ness, n.
"dogmatical": 1. Pertaining to a dogma, or to an established and authorized doctrine or tenet. 2. Asserting a thing positively and authoritatively; positive; magisterial; hence, arrogantly authoritative; overbearing. Critics write in a positive, dogmatic way. Spectator. [They] are as assertive and dogmatical as if they were omniscient. Glanvill. Dogmatic theology. Same as Dogmatics. Syn. -- Magisterial; arrogant. See Magisterial.
"expostulation": The act of expostulating or reasoning with a person in opposition to some impropriety of conduct; remonstrance; earnest and kindly protest; dissuasion. We must use expostulation kindly. Shak.
"impeach": 1. To hinder; to impede; to prevent. [Obs.] These ungracious practices of his sons did impeach his journey to the Holy Land. Sir J. Davies. A defluxion on my throat impeached my utterance. Howell. 2. To charge with a crime or misdemeanor; to accuse; especially to charge (a public officer), before a competent tribunal, with misbehavior in office; to cite before a tribunal for judgement of official misconduct; to arraign; as, to impeach a judge. See Impeachment. 3. Hence, to charge with impropriety; to dishonor; to bring discredit on; to call in question; as, to impeach one's motives or conduct. And doth impeach the freedom of the state. Shak. 4. (Law) To challenge or discredit the credibility of, as of a witness, or the validity of, as of commercial paper. Note: When used in law with reference to a witness, the term signifies, to discredit, to show or prove unreliable or unworthy of belief; when used in reference to the credit of witness, the term denotes, to impair, to lessen, to disparage, to destroy. The credit of a witness may be impeached by showing that he has made statements out of court contradictory to what he swears at the trial, or by showing that his reputation for veracity is bad, etc. Syn. -- To accuse; arraign; censure; criminate; indict; impair; disparage; discredit. See Accuse.
Hindrance; impeachment. [Obs.]
Difficulty: 17.19
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4265
He
began
to
sing
in
a
roaring,
off-key
voice,
and
because
every
man
of
us
cheered
our
passionate
and
peremptory
approval,
we
all
knew
that
we
were
drunk.
797
ringlets
prev
next
Definition (ringlet)
Definition (ringlet)
1. A small ring; a small circle; specifically, a fairy ring. You demi-puppets, that By moonshine do the green sour ringlets make, Whereof the ewe not bites. Shak. 2. A curl; especially, a curl of hair. [Her golden tresses] in wanton ringlets waved. Milton.
"whereof": 1. Of which; of whom; formerly, also, with which; -- used relatively. I do not find the certain numbers whereof their armies did consist. Sir J. Davies. Let it work like Borgias' wine, Whereof his sire, the pope, was poisoned. Marlowe. Edward's seven sons, whereof thyself art one. Shak. 2. Of what; -- used interrogatively. Whereof was the house built Johnson.
Difficulty: 17.19
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8710
The
hair
was
dark
and
elaborately
coifed,
falling
in
ringlets
that
framed
her
round
and
somewhat
plump
face.
798
vexation
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The act of vexing, or the state of being vexed; agitation; disquiet; trouble; irritation. Passions too violent . . . afford us nothing but vexation and pain. Sir W. Temple. Those who saw him after a defeat looked in vain for any trace of vexation. Macaulay. 2. The cause of trouble or disquiet; affliction. Your children were vexation to your youth. Shak. 3. A harassing by process of law; a vexing or troubling, as by a malicious suit. Bacon. Syn. -- Chagrin; agitation; mortification; uneasiness; trouble; grief; sorrow; distress. See Chagrin.
"uneasiness": 1. The quality or state of being uneasy; restlessness; disquietude; anxiety. 2. The quality of making uneasy; discomfort; as, the uneasiness of the road. [Obs.] Bp. Burnet.
"chagrin": Vexation; mortification. I must own that I felt rather vexation and chagrin than hope and satisfaction. Richard Porson. Hear me, and touch Belinda with chagrin. Pope. Syn. -- Vexation; mortification; peevishness; fretfulness; disgust; disquiet. Chagrin, Vexation, Mortification. These words agree in the general sense of pain produced by untoward circumstances. Vexation is a feeling of disquietude or irritating uneasiness from numerous causes, such as losses, disappointments, etc. Mortification is a stronger word, and denotes that keen sense of pain which results fron wounded pride or humiliating occurrences. Chagrin is literally the cutting pain produced by the friction of Shagreen leather; in its figurative sense, it varies in meaning, denoting in its lower degrees simply a state of vexation, and its higher degrees the keenest sense of mortification. "Vexation arises chiefly fron our wishes and views being crossed: mortification, from our self-importance being hurt; chagrin, from a mixture of the two." Crabb.
To excite ill-humor in; to vex; to mortify; as, he was not a little chagrined.
To be vexed or annoyed. Fielding.
Chagrined. Dryden.
"mortification": 1. The act of mortifying, or the condition of being mortified; especially: (a) (Med.) The death of one part of an animal body, while the rest continues to live; loss of vitality in some part of a living animal; gangrene. Dunglison. (b) (Alchem. & Old Chem.) Destruction of active qualities; neutralization. [Obs.] Bacon. (c) Subjection of the passions and appetites, by penance, absistence, or painful severities inflicted on the body. The mortification of our lusts has something in it that is troublesome, yet nothing that is unreasonable. Tillotson. (d) Hence: Deprivation or depression of self-approval; abatement or pride; humiliation; chagrin; vexation. We had the mortification to lose sight of Munich, Augsburg, and Ratisbon. Addison. 2. That which mortifies; the cause of humiliation, chagrin, or vexation. It is one of the vexatious mortifications of a studious man to have his thoughts discovered by a tedious visit. L'Estrange. 3. (Scots Law) A gift to some charitable or religious institution; -- nearly synonymous with mortmain. Syn. -- Chagrin; vexation; shame. See Chagrin.
"disquiet": Deprived of quiet; impatient; restless; uneasy. [R.] Shak.
Want of quiet; want of tranquility in body or mind; uneasiness; restlessness; disturbance; anxiety. Swift.
To render unquiet; to deprive of peace, rest, or tranquility; to make uneasy or restless; to disturb. Why art thou cast down, O my soul, and why art thou disquieted within me Ps. xlii. 11. As quiet as these disquieted times will permit. Sir W. Scott. Syn. -- To harass; disturb; vex; fret; excite; agitate.
Difficulty: 17.19
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21855
The
gleam
in
his
eyes
goaded
me
for
another
heartbeat
of
vexation
and
I
almost
shouted
at
him,
but
then
I
saw
the
warmth
in
his
expression,
and
the
concern.
799
hoteliers
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.18
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 244
They
were
touts—street
operatives
for
the
various
hoteliers,
drug
dealers,
and
other
businessmen
of
the
city—and
they
shouted
at
us
in
broken
English
with
offers
of
cheap
hotel
rooms
and
bargains
to
be
had.
800
galvanised
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.18
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3141
The
announcement,
whatever
it
was,
had
galvanised
the
crowds
of
people,
and
they
rushed
at
two
stationary
trains,
hurling
themselves
and
their
bundles
into
the
doors
and
windows.
801
galvanising
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.18
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3944
They
loved
and
admired
her
for
the
galvanising
role
she’d
played
with
her
funeral
speech—the
first
and
last
time
she’d
ever
assumed
a
public
position
in
the
village.
802
cornices
prev
next
Definition (cornice)
Definition (cornice)
Any horizontal, molded or otherwise decorated projection which crowns or finishes the part to which it is affixed; as, the cornice of an order, pedestal, door, window, or house. Gwilt. Cornice ring, the ring on a cannon next behind the muzzle ring.
Difficulty: 17.18
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4192
Its
high,
wide
rooms
were
graced
with
open
balconies
facing
the
busy
street,
and
they
featured
fine
detail
in
their
cornices
and
ceiling
rosettes.
803
inebriation
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The condition of being inebriated; intoxication; figuratively, deprivation of sense and judgment by anything that exhilarates, as success. Sir T. Browne. Preserve him from the inebriation of prosperity. Macaulay. Syn. -- See Drunkenness.
Difficulty: 17.18
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4269
The
two
burly
waiters
recognised
the
new
stage
of
inebriation,
and
abandoned
their
drinks
trays
and
glasses
for
a
while.
804
enjoined
prev
next
Definition (enjoin)
Definition (enjoin)
1. To lay upon, as an order or command; to give an injunction to; to direct with authority; to order; to charge. High matter thou enjoin'st me. Milton. I am enjoined by oath to observe three things. Shak. 2. (Law) To prohibit or restrain by a judicial order or decree; to put an injunction on. This is a suit to enjoin the defendants from disturbing the plaintiffs. Kent. Note: Enjoin has the force of pressing admonition with authority; as, a parent enjoins on his children the duty of obedience. But it has also the sense of command; as, the duties enjoined by God in the moral law. "This word is more authoritative than direct, and less imperious than command." Johnson.
To join or unite. [Obs.] Hooker.
"imperious": 1. Commanding; ascendant; imperial; lordly; majestic. [Obs.] "A vast and imperious mind." Tilloison. Therefore, great lords, be, as your titles witness, Imperious. Shak. 2. Haughly; arrogant; overbearing; as, an imperious tyrant; an imperious manner. This imperious man will work us all From princes into pages. Shak. His bold, contemptuous, and imperious spirit soon made him conspicuous. Macaulay. 3. Imperative; urgent; compelling. Imperious need, which can not be withstood. Dryden. Syn. -- Dictatorial; haughty; domineering; overbearing; lordly; tyrannical; despotic; arrogant; imperative; authoritative; commanding; pressing. -- Imperious, Lordly, Domineering. One who is imperious exercises his authority in a manner highly offensive for its spirit and tone; one who is lordly assumes a lofty air in order to display his importance; one who is domineering gives orders in a way to make other feel their inferiority.
"admonition": Gentle or friendly reproof; counseling against a fault or error; expression of authoritative advice; friendly caution or warning. Syn. -- Admonition, Reprehension, Reproof. Admonition is prospective, and relates to moral delinquencies; its object is to prevent further transgression. Reprehension and reproof are retrospective, the former being milder than the latter. A person of any age or station may be liable to reprehension in case of wrong conduct; but reproof is the act of a superior. It is authoritative fault-finding or censure addressed to children or to inferiors.
Difficulty: 17.18
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11281
But
I
couldn’t
let
it
go,
that
hope
of
loving
her,
and
I
couldn’t
ignore
the
instinct
that
enjoined
me
to
wait,
and
wait.
805
coloratura
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.18
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11621
Her
father
was
a
painter,
and
her
mother
was
a
soprano
coloratura.
806
triviality
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The quality or state of being trivial; trivialness. 2. That which is trivial; a trifle. The philosophy of our times does not expend itself in furious discussions on mere scholastic trivialities. Lyon Playfair.
"trivialness": Quality or state of being trivial.
"expend": To lay out, apply, or employ in any way; to consume by use; to use up or distribute, either in payment or in donations; to spend; as, they expend money for food or in charity; to expend time labor, and thought; to expend hay in feeding cattle, oil in a lamp, water in mechanical operations. If my death might make this island happy . . . I would expend it with all willingness. Shak.
1. To be laid out, used, or consumed. 2. To pay out or disburse money. They go elsewhere to enjoy and to expend. Macaulay .
"scholastic": 1. Pertaining to, or suiting, a scholar, a school, or schools; scholarlike; as, scholastic manners or pride; scholastic learning. Sir K. Digby. 2. Of or pertaining to the schoolmen and divines of the Middle Ages (see Schoolman); as, scholastic divinity or theology; scholastic philosophy. Locke. 3. Hence, characterized by excessive subtilty, or needlessly minute subdivisions; pedantic; formal.
1. One who adheres to the method or subtilties of the schools. Milton. 2. (R.C.Ch.) See the Note under Jesuit.
Difficulty: 17.18
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20419
It
puzzled
and
even
tormented
him
that
I
almost
always
met
his
earnest
gravity
with
facetiousness
and
triviality.
807
gunrunners
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.18
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20468
No
less
industrious
in
their
pursuit
of
a
deal
with
the
camarilla
of
generals
were
the
illegals—the
black
marketeers,
gunrunners,
freebooters,
and
mercenaries.
808
weensy
prev
next
Definition (ween)
Definition (ween)
To think; to imagine; to fancy. [Obs. or Poetic] Spenser. Milton. I have lost more than thou wenest. Chaucer. For well I ween, Never before in the bowers of light Had the form of an earthly fay been seen. J. R. Drake. Though never a dream the roses sent Of science or love's compliment, I ween they smelt as sweet. Mrs. Browning.
Difficulty: 17.16
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 810
Not
even
a
teensy
or
a
weensy
—’
809
sleepily
prev
next
Definition
Definition
In a sleepy manner; drowsily.
"drowsily": In a drowsy manner.
Difficulty: 17.16
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11683
‘What
do
you
mean?’
she
asked
sleepily.
810
iniquitous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Characterized by iniquity; unjust; wicked; as, an iniquitous bargain; an iniquitous proceeding. Demagogues . . . bribed to this iniquitous service. Burke. Syn. -- Wicked; wrong; unjust; unrighteous; nefarious; criminal. -- Iniquitous, Wicked, Nefarious. Wicked is the generic term. Iniquitous is stronger, denoting a violation of the rights of others, usually by fraud or circumvention. Nefarious is still stronger, implying a breach of the most sacred obligations, and points more directly to the intrinsic badness of the deed.
"badness": The state of being bad.
"circumvention": The act of prevailing over another by arts, address, or fraud; deception; fraud; imposture; delusion. A school in which he learns sly circumvention. Cowper.
"unrighteous": 1. Not righteous; evil; wicked; sinful; as, an unrighteous man. 2. Contrary to law and equity; unjust; as, an unrighteous decree or sentence. -- Un*right"eous*ly, adv. -- Un*right"eous*ness, n.
Difficulty: 17.16
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12593
I
was
walking
into
the
worst
of
the
city,
one
of
her
cruellest
and
most
iniquitous
defiles,
but
some
instinct
flooded
my
mind
with
a
loveliness
I’d
found
in
her—that
path,
across
the
sea,
to
the
white
minarets
of
the
saint’s
tomb.
811
carbonised
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.16
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24556
The
stairway
itself
was
carbonised,
its
carpet
scorched
to
stringy
clumps
of
ash.
812
cavil
prev
next
Definition
Definition
To raise captious and frivolous objections; to find fault without good reason. You do not well in obstinacy To cavil in the course of this contract. Shak.
To cavil at. [Obs.] Milton.
A captious or frivolous objection. All the cavils of prejudice and unbelief. Shak.
One who cavils. Cavilers at the style of the Scriptures. Boyle.
"unbelief": 1. The withholding of belief; doubt; incredulity; skepticism. 2. Disbelief; especially, disbelief of divine revelation, or in a divine providence or scheme of redemption. Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan his work in vain. Cowper. Syn. -- See Disbelief.
"captious": 1. Art to catch at faults; disposed to find fault or to cavil; eager to object; difficult to please. A captius and suspicious. Stillingfleet. I am sensible I have not disposed my materials to adbide the test of a captious controversy. Bwike. 2. Fitted to harass, perplex, or insnare; insidious; troublesome. Captious restraints on navigation. Bancroft. Syn. -- Caviling, carping, fault-finding; censorious; hypercritical; peevish, fretful; perverse; troublesome. -- Captious, caviling, Carping. A captious person is one who has a fault-finding habit or manner, or is disposed to catch at faults, errors, etc., with quarrelsome intent; a caviling person is disposed to raise objections on frivolous grounds; carping implies that one is given to ill-natured, persistent, or unreasonable fault-finding, or picking up of the words or actions of others. Caviling is the carping of argument, carping the caviling of ill temper. C. J. Smith.
Difficulty: 17.16
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 25470
If
they
needed
me,
I
was
there,
without
cavil
or
regret.
813
assail
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. To attack with violence, or in a vehement and hostile manner; to assault; to molest; as, to assail a man with blows; to assail a city with artillery. No rude noise mine ears assailing. Cowper. No storm can now assail The charm he wears within. Keble. 2. To encounter or meet purposely with the view of mastering, as an obstacle, difficulty, or the like. The thorny wilds the woodmen fierce assail. Pope. 3. To attack morally, or with a view to produce changes in the feelings, character, conduct, existing usages, institutions; to attack by words, hostile influence, etc.; as, to assail one with appeals, arguments, abuse, ridicule, and the like. The papal authority . . . assailed. Hallam. They assailed him with keen invective; they assailed him with still keener irony. Macaulay. Syn. -- To attack; assault; invade; encounter; fall upon. See Attack.
"keener": A professional mourner who wails at a funeral. [Ireland]
"vehement": 1. Acting with great force; furious; violent; impetuous; forcible; mighty; as, vehement wind; a vehement torrent; a vehement fire or heat. 2. Very ardent; very eager or urgent; very fervent; passionate; as, a vehement affection or passion. "Vehement instigation." Shak. "Vehement desire." Milton. Syn. -- Furious; violent; raging; impetuous; passionate; ardent; eager; hot; fervid; burning.
"invective": Characterized by invection; critical; denunciatory; satirical; abusive; railing.
An expression which inveighs or rails against a person; a severe or violent censure or reproach; something uttered or written, intended to cast opprobrium, censure, or reproach on another; a harsh or reproachful accusation; -- followed by against, having reference to the person or thing affected; as an invective against tyranny. The world will be able to judge of his [Junius'] motives for writing such famous invectives. Sir W. Draper. Syn. -- Abuse; censure; reproach; satire; sarcasm; railing; diatribe. See Abuse.
Difficulty: 17.13
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1067
I
liked
the
way
she
held
my
eyes
until
the
precise
moment
when
it
stopped
being
comfortable,
and
then
smiled,
softening
the
assail,
but
never
looked
away.
814
unleavened
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Not leavened; containing no leaven; as, unleavened bread.
Difficulty: 17.13
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3981
The
roti,
or
unleavened
flatbreads,
were
made
fresh
for
each
breakfast,
and
cooked
in
a
lightly
oiled
wok
on
an
open
fire.
815
fomented
prev
next
Definition (foment)
Definition (foment)
1. To apply a warm lotion to; to bathe with a cloth or sponge wet with warm water or medicated liquid. 2. To cherish with heat; to foster. [Obs.] Which these soft fires . . . foment and warm. Milton. 3. To nurse to life or activity; to cherish and promote by excitements; to encourage; to abet; to instigate; -- used often in a bad sense; as, to foment ill humors. Locke. But quench the choler you foment in vain. Dryden. Exciting and fomenting a religious rebellion. Southey.
"abet": 1. To instigate or encourage by aid or countenance; -- used in a bad sense of persons and acts; as, to abet an ill-doer; to abet one in his wicked courses; to abet vice; to abet an insurrection. "The whole tribe abets the villany." South. Would not the fool abet the stealth, Who rashly thus exposed his wealth Gay. 2. To support, uphold, or aid; to maintain; -- in a good sense. [Obs.]. Our duty is urged, and our confidence abetted. Jer. Taylor. 3. (Law) To contribute, as an assistant or instigator, to the commission of an offense. Syn. -- To incite; instigate; set on; egg on; foment; advocate; countenance; encourage; second; uphold; aid; assist; support; sustain; back; connive at.
Act of abetting; aid. [Obs.] Chaucer.
"choler": 1. The bile; -- formerly supposed to be the seat and cause of irascibility. [Obs.] His [Richard Hooker's] complexion . . . was sanguine, with a mixture of choler; and yet his motion was slow. I. Warton. 2. Irritation of the passions; anger; wrath. He is rash and very sudden in choler. Shak.
Difficulty: 17.13
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20454
When
the
riots
that
they’d
provoked
and
fomented
finally
erupted,
the
generals
ordered
their
police
to
open
fire.
816
blotch
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. A blot or spot, as of color or of ink; especially a large or irregular spot. Also Fig.; as, a moral blotch. Spots and blotches . . . some red, others yellow. Harvey. 2. (Med.) A large pustule, or a coarse eruption. Foul scurf and blotches him defile. Thomson.
"scurf": 1. Thin dry scales or scabs upon the body; especially, thin scales exfoliated from the cuticle, particularly of the scalp; dandruff. 2. Hence, the foul remains of anything adherent. The scurf is worn away of each committed crime. Dryden. 3. Anything like flakes or scales adhering to a surface. There stood a hill not far, whose grisly top Belched fire and rolling smoke; the rest entire Shone with a glossy scurf. Milton. 4. (Bot.) Minute membranous scales on the surface of some leaves, as in the goosefoot. Gray.
"pustule": A vesicle or an elevation of the cuticle with an inflamed base, containing pus. Malignant pustule. See under Malignant.
Difficulty: 17.12
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 924
He
spat
out
a
squirt
of
red
juice
that
landed
on
the
road,
a
metre
away,
and
formed
a
palm-sized
blotch.
817
earthenware
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Vessels and other utensils, ornaments, or the like, made of baked clay. See Crockery, Pottery, Stoneware, and Porcelain.
"stoneware": A species of coarse potter's ware, glazed and baked.
Difficulty: 17.12
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7346
The
water
was
stored
in
an
earthenware
matka.
818
shinbone
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.12
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 10763
A
piece
of
shinbone
on
one
leg
protruded
below
the
knee.
819
loll
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. To act lazily or indolently; to recline; to lean; to throw one's self down; to lie at ease. Void of care, he lolls supine in state. Dryden. 2. To hand extended from the mouth, as the tongue of an ox or a log when heated with labor or exertion. The triple porter of the Stygian seat, With lolling tongue, lay fawning at thy feet. Dryden . 3. To let the tongue hang from the mouth, as an ox, dog, or other animal, when heated by labor; as, the ox stood lolling in the furrow.
To let hang from the mouth, as the tongue. Fierce tigers couched around and lolled their fawning tongues. Dryden.
"couched": Same as Couch.
"stygian": Of or pertaining to the river Styx; hence, hellish; infernal. See Styx. At that so sudden blaze, the Stygian throng Bent their aspect. Milton.
"indolently": In an indolent manner. Calm and serene you indolently sit. Addison.
"recline": To cause or permit to lean, incline, rest, etc., to place in a recumbent position; as, to recline the head on the hand. The mother Reclined her dying head upon his breast. Dryden.
1. To lean or incline; as, to recline against a wall. 2. To assume, or to be in, a recumbent position; as, to recline on a couch.
Having a reclining posture; leaning; reclining. [R.] They sat, recline On the soft downy bank, damasked with flowers. Milton.
"supine": 1. Lying on the back, or with the face upward; -- opposed to prone. 2. Leaning backward, or inclining with exposure to the sun; sloping; inclined. If the vine On rising ground be placed, or hills supine. Dryden. 3. Negligent; heedless; indolent; listless. He became pusillanimous and supine, and openly exposed to any temptation. Woodward. Syn. -- Negligent; heedless; indolent; thoughtless; inattentive; listless; careless; drowsy. -- Su*pine"ly, adv. -- Su*pine"ness, n.
A verbal noun; or (according to C.F.Becker), a case of the infinitive mood ending in -um and -u, that in -um being sometimes called the former supine, and that in -u the latter supine.
"furrow": 1. A trench in the earth made by, or as by, a plow. 2. Any trench, channel, or groove, as in wood or metal; a wrinkle on the face; as, the furrows of age. Farrow weed a weed which grows on plowed land. Shak. -- To draw a straight furrow, to live correctly; not to deviate from the right line of duty. Lowell.
1. To cut a furrow in; to make furrows in; to plow; as, to furrow the ground or sea. Shak. 2. To mark with channels or with wrinkles. Thou canst help time to furrow me with age. Shak. Fair cheeks were furrowed with hot tears. Byron.
"lazily": In a lazy manner. Locke.
Difficulty: 17.12
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 14366
He
closed
his
eyes
for
a
moment,
and
allowed
his
head
to
loll
and
roll
with
the
movement
of
the
car.
820
permeating
prev
next
Definition (permeate)
Definition (permeate)
1. To pass through the pores or interstices of; to penetrate and pass through without causing rupture or displacement; -- applied especially to fluids which pass through substances of loose texture; as, water permeates sand. Woodward. 2. To enter and spread through; to pervade. God was conceived to be diffused throughout the whole world, to permeate and pervade all things. Cudworth.
"diffused": Spread abroad; dispersed; loose; flowing; diffuse. It grew to be a widely diffused opinion. Hawthorne. -- Dif*fus"ed*ly, adv. -- Dif*fus"ed*ness, n.
"pervade": 1. To pass or flow through, as an aperture, pore, or interstice; to permeate. That labyrinth is easily pervaded. Blackstone. 2. To pass or spread through the whole extent of; to be diffused throughout. A spirit of cabal, intrigue, and proselytism pervaded all their thoughts, words, and actions. Burke.
Difficulty: 17.10
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4749
It
was
like
a
physical
element
permeating
the
air,
and
it
seemed
that
I
could
feel
it
settle
on
my
skin
in
a
thickening,
slimy
ooze.
821
soporific
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Causing sleep; tending to cause sleep; soporiferous; as, the soporific virtues of opium. Syn. -- Somniferous; narcotic; opiate; anodyne.
A medicine, drug, plant, or other agent that has the quality of inducing sleep; a narcotic.
"anodyne": Serving to assuage pain; soothing. The anodyne draught of oblivion. Burke. Note: "The word [in a medical sense] in chiefly applied to the different preparations of opium, belladonna, hyoscyamus, and lettuce." Am. Cyc.
Any medicine which allays pain, as an opiate or narcotic; anything that soothes disturbed feelings.
"somniferous": Causing or inducing sleep; soporific; dormitive; as, a somniferous potion. Walton.
"soporiferous": Causing sleep; somniferous; soporific. "Soporiferous medicine." Swift. --- Sop`o*rif"er*ous*ly, adv. -- Sop`o*rif"er*ous*ness, n.
Difficulty: 17.09
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 5537
The
experience
was
familiar
and
disturbing
at
the
same
time—something
like
returning,
as
an
adult,
to
the
schoolyard
of
childhood—and
despite
the
soporific
slump
of
the
drug,
I
couldn’t
entirely
relax.
822
despondency
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The state of desponding; loss of hope and cessation of effort; discouragement; depression or dejection of the mind. The unhappy prince seemed, during some days, to be sunk in despondency. Macaulay.
"cessation": A ceasing of discontinuance, as of action, whether termporary or final; a stop; as, a cessation of the war. The temporary cessation of the papal iniquities. Motley. The day was yearly observed for a festival by cessation from labor. Sir J. Hayward. Cessation of arms (Mil.), an armistice, or truce, agreed to by the commanders of armies, to give time for a capitulation, or for other purposes. Syn. -- Stop; rest; stay; pause; discontinuance; intermission; interval; respite; interruption; recess; remission.
"dejection": 1. A casting down; depression. [Obs. or Archaic] Hallywell. 2. The act of humbling or abasing one's self. Adoration implies submission and dejection. Bp. Pearson. 3. Lowness of spirits occasioned by grief or misfortune; mental depression; melancholy. What besides, Of sorrow, and dejection, and despair, Our frailty can sustain, thy tidings bring. Milton. 4. A low condition; weakness; inability. [R.] A dejection of appetite. Arbuthnot. 5. (Physiol.) (a) The discharge of excrement. (b) Fæces; excrement. Ray.
"discouragement": 1. The act of discouraging, or the state of being discouraged; depression or weakening of confidence; dejection. 2. That which discourages; that which deters, or tends to deter, from an undertaking, or from the prosecution of anything; a determent; as, the revolution was commenced under every possible discouragement. "Discouragements from vice." Swift.
Difficulty: 17.09
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11390
It
was
a
measure
of
their
despondency
and
their
fear
that
dread
had
banished
modesty,
and
they
allowed
the
girl
to
be
examined
in
a
flimsy
undergarment
that
revealed
her
shoulders
and
most
of
one
breast.
823
cloudburst
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.09
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18493
When
I
started
back
toward
the
city,
I
heard
a
sudden
eruption
of
happy
laughter
from
many
voices
at
Prabaker’s
party,
followed
by
a
cloudburst
rattle
of
applause.
824
imitator
prev
next
Definition
Definition
One who imitates.
Difficulty: 17.08
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2546
It
is
the
test
that
reveals
whether
a
hat
is
a
genuine
Borsalino,
or
an
inferior
imitator.
825
curvaceous
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.08
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3842
She
was
a
full
head
and
shoulder
taller
than
her
husband,
and
that
difference
in
height,
combined
with
her
ample,
curvaceous
figure,
gave
the
false
impression
that
she
was
something
of
an
Amazon,
whenever
the
couple
stood
together.
826
expiation
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The act of making satisfaction or atonement for any crime or fault; the extinguishing of guilt by suffering or penalty. His liberality seemed to have something in it of self-abasement and expiation. W. Irving. 2. The means by which reparation or atonement for crimes or sins is made; an expiatory sacrifice or offering; an atonement. Those shadowy expiations weak, The blood of bulls and goats. Milton. 3. An act by which the treats of prodigies were averted among the ancient heathen. [Obs.] Hayward.
"reparation": 1. The act of renewing, restoring, etc., or the state of being renewed or repaired; as, the reparation of a bridge or of a highway; -- in this sense, repair is oftener used. Arbuthnot. 2. The act of making amends or giving satisfaction or compensation for a wrong, injury, etc.; also, the thing done or given; amends; satisfaction; indemnity. make reparation or reparations. I am sensible of the scandal I have given by my loose writings, and make what reparation I am able. Dryden. Syn. -- Restoration; repair; restitution; compensation; amends; satisfaction.
"expiatory": Having power, or intended, to make expiation; atoning; as, an expiatory sacrifice.
"liberality": 1. The quality or state of being liberal; liberal disposition or practice; freedom from narrowness or prejudice; generosity; candor; charity. That liberality is but cast away Which makes us borrow what we can not pay. Denham. 2. A gift; a gratuity; -- sometimes in the plural; as, a prudent man is not impoverished by his liberalities.
Difficulty: 17.08
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4554
And
there
were
criminals—thieves,
murderers,
major
mafia
figures,
and
even
former
warlords—who
sought
expiation,
or
propitiation,
in
the
endless
agonies
of
the
vow.
827
luxuriant
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Exuberant in growth; rank; excessive; very abundant; as, a luxuriant growth of grass; luxuriant foliage. Prune the luxuriant, the uncouth refine. Pope. Luxuriant flower (Bot.), one in which the floral envelopes are overdeveloped at the expense of the essential organs.
Difficulty: 17.08
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6539
We
only
had
to
lift
our
heads
from
the
filthy
drains
to
find
ourselves
in
a
luxuriant
garden
of
smiles.
828
supercilious
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Lofty with pride; haughty; dictatorial; overbearing; arrogant; as, a supercilious officer; asupercilious air; supercilious behavior. -- Su`per*cil"i*ous*ly, adv. -- Su`per*cil"i*ous*ness, n.
"dictatorial": 1. Pertaining or suited to a dictator; absolute. Military powers quite dictatorial. W. Irving. 2. Characteristic of a dictator; imperious; dogmatical; overbearing; as, a dictatorial tone or manner. -- Dic`ta*to"ri*al*ly, adv. -- Dic`ta*to"ri*al*ness, n.
Difficulty: 17.08
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12734
His
supercilious
grin
faded,
and
his
eyes
fluttered
their
signal
of
defeat.
829
presentiment
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Previous sentiment, conception, or opinion; previous apprehension; especially, an antecedent impression or conviction of something unpleasant, distressing, or calamitous, about to happen; anticipation of evil; foreboding.
"calamitous": 1. Suffering calamity; wretched; miserable. [Obs.] Ten thousands of calamitous persons. South. 2. Producing, or attended with distress and misery; making wretched; wretched; unhappy. "This sad and calamitous condition." South. "A calamitous prison" Milton. Syn. -- Miserable; deplorable; distressful; afflictive; grievous; baleful; disastrous; adverse; unhappy; severe; sad; unfortunate. -- Ca*lam"i*tous*ly, adv. -- Ca*lam"i*tous*ness, n.
"antecedent": 1. Going before in time; prior; anterior; preceding; as, an event antecedent to the Deluge; an antecedent cause. 2. Presumptive; as, an antecedent improbability. Syn. -- Prior; previous; foregoing.
1. That which goes before in time; that which precedes. South. The Homeric mythology, as well as the Homeric language, has surely its antecedents. Max Miller. 2. One who precedes or goes in front. [Obs.] My antecedent, or my gentleman usher. Massinger. 3. pl. The earlier events of one's life; previous principles, conduct, course, history. J. H. Newman. If the troops . . . prove worthy of their antecedents, the victory is surely ours. Gen. G. McClellan. 4. (Gram.) The noun to which a relative refers; as, in the sentence "Solomon was the prince who built the temple," prince is the antecedent of who. 5. (Logic) (a) The first or conditional part of a hypothetical proposition; as, If the earth is fixed, the sun must move. (b) The first of the two propositions which constitute an enthymeme or contracted syllogism; as, Every man is mortal; therefore the king must die. 6. (Math.) The first of the two terms of a ratio; the first or third of the four terms of a proportion. In the ratio a:b, a is the antecedent, and b the consequent.
Difficulty: 17.08
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 25042
They’d
refused
to
marry,
Salman
told
me,
because
of
a
shared
belief
or
presentiment
that
they
would
die
violently
and
they
would
die
young.
830
encroachments
prev
next
Definition (encroachment)
Definition (encroachment)
1. The act of entering gradually or silently upon the rights or possessions of another; unlawful intrusion. An unconstitutional encroachment of military power on the civil establishment. Bancroft. 2. That which is taken by encroaching on another. 3. (Law) An unlawful diminution of the possessions of another.
"diminution": 1. The act of diminishing, or of making or becoming less; state of being diminished; reduction in size, quantity, or degree; -- opposed to augmentation or increase. 2. The act of lessening dignity or consideration, or the state of being deprived of dignity; a lowering in estimation; degradation; abasement. The world's opinion or diminution of me. Eikon Basilike. Nor thinks it diminution to be ranked In military honor next. Philips. 3. (Law) Omission, inaccuracy, or defect in a record. 4. (Mus.) In counterpoint, the imitation of, or reply to, a subject, in notes of half the length or value of those the subject itself. Syn. -- Decrease; decay; abatement; reduction; deduction; decrement.
Difficulty: 17.06
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 536
Two
or
three
attendants,
seated
on
folding
stools,
manned
each
of
those
small
encroachments
on
the
footpath.
831
cloyingly
prev
next
Definition (cloy)
Definition (cloy)
1. To fill or choke up; to stop up; to clog. [Obs.] The duke's purpose was to have cloyed the harbor by sinking ships, laden with stones. Speed. 2. To glut, or satisfy, as the appetite; to satiate; to fill to loathing; to surfeit. [Who can] cloy the hungry edge of appetite By bare imagination of a feast Shak. He sometimes cloys his readers instead of satisfying. Dryden. 3. To penetrate or pierce; to wound. Which, with his cruel tusk, him deadly cloyed. Spenser. He never shod horse but he cloyed him. Bacon. 4. To spike, as a cannon. [Obs.] Johnson. 5. To stroke with a claw. [Obs.] Shak.
"shod": f Shoe.
"glut": 1. To swallow, or to swallow greedlly; to gorge. Though every drop of water swear against it, And gape at widest to glut him. Shak. 2. To fill to satiety; to satisfy fully the desire or craving of; to satiate; to sate; to cloy. His faithful heart, a bloody sacrifice, Torn from his breast, to glut the tyrant's eyes. Dryden. The realms of nature and of art were ransacked to glut the wonder, lust, and ferocity of a degraded populace. C. Kingsley. To glut the market, to furnish an oversupply of any article of trade, so that there is no sale for it.
To eat gluttonously or to satiety. Like three horses that have broken fence, And glutted all night long breast-deep in corn. Tennyson.
1. That which is swallowed. Milton 2. Plenty, to satiety or repletion; a full supply; hence, often, a supply beyond sufficiency or to loathing; over abundance; as, a glut of the market. A glut of those talents which raise men to eminence. Macaulay. 3. Something that fills up an opening; a clog. 4. (a) A wooden wedge used in splitting blocks. [Prov. Eng.] (b) (Mining) A piece of wood used to fill up behind cribbing or tubbing. Raymond. (c) (Bricklaying) A bat, or small piece of brick, used to fill out a course. Knight. (d) (Arch.) An arched opening to the ashpit of a klin. (e) A block used for a fulcrum. 5. (Zoöl.) The broad-nosed eel (Anguilla latirostris), found in Europe, Asia, the West Indies, etc.
"satiate": Filled to satiety; glutted; sated; -- followed by with or of. "Satiate of applause." Pope.
1. To satisfy the appetite or desire of; tho feed to the full; to furnish enjoyment to, to the extent of desire; to sate; as, to satiate appetite or sense. These [smells] rather woo the sense than satiate it. Bacon. I may yet survive the malice of my enemies, although they should be satiated with my blood. Eikon Basilike. 2. To full beyond matural desire; to gratify to repletion or loathing; to surfeit; to glut. 3. To saturate. [Obs.] Sir I. Newton. Syn. -- To satisfy; sate; suffice; cloy; gorge; overfill; surfeit; glut. -- Satiate, Satisfy, Content. These words differ principally in degree. To Content is to make contented, even though every desire or appetite is not fully gratified. To satisfy is to appease fully the longings of desire. To satiate is to fill so completely that it is not possible to receive or enjoy more; hence, to overfill; to cause disgust in. Content with science in the vale of peace. Pope. His whole felicity is endless strife; No peace, no satisfaction, crowns his life. Beaumont. He may be satiated, but not satisfied. Norris.
"surfeit": 1. Excess in eating and drinking. Let not Sir Surfeit sit at thy board. Piers Plowman. Now comes the sick hour that his surfeit made. Shak. 2. Fullness and oppression of the system, occasioned often by excessive eating and drinking. To prevent surfeit and other diseases that are incident to those that heat their blood by travels. Bunyan. 3. Disgust caused by excess; satiety. Sir P. Sidney. Matter and argument have been supplied abundantly, and even to surfeit. Burke.
1. To load the stomach with food, so that sickness or uneasiness ensues; to eat to excess. They are as sick that surfeit with too much as they that starve with nothing. Shak. 2. To indulge to satiety in any gratification.
1. To feed so as to oppress the stomach and derange the function of the system; to overfeed, and produce satiety, sickness, or uneasiness; -- often reflexive; as, to surfeit one's self with sweets. 2. To fill to satiety and disgust; to cloy; as, he surfeits us with compliments. V. Knox.
Difficulty: 17.06
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8742
It
wasn’t
only
hot
and
cloyingly
humid:
in
the
eight
rainless
months
of
the
year
it
was
constantly
aswirl
with
grimy
dust
clouds
that
settled
on
and
smeared
every
exposed
surface
with
a
catholic
variety
of
filths.
832
herringbone
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Pertaining to, or like, the spine of a herring; especially, characterized by an arrangement of work in rows of parallel lines, which in the alternate rows slope in different directions. Herringbone stitch, a kind of cross-stitch in needlework, chiefly used in flannel. Simmonds.
"needlework": 1. Work executed with a needle; sewed work; sewing; embroidery; also, the business of a seamstress. 2. The combination of timber and plaster making the outside framework of some houses.
Difficulty: 17.06
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15781
The
portly
figure
stood
in
the
broad
curve
of
a
high
bay
window,
looking
out
at
a
wide
view
of
roof-garden
plateaus,
balconies
ablaze
with
green
and
yellow
saris
hung
out
to
dry,
and
rust-red
herringbone
rooftops.
833
sheiks
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.05
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2526
Some
would
be
maimed
in
the
camel
races
that
provided
afternoon
entertainment
for
the
rich
sheiks,
Prabaker
said.
834
backsliders
prev
next
Definition (backslide)
Definition (backslide)
To slide back; to fall away; esp. to abandon gradually the faith and practice of a religion that has been professed.
"professed": Openly declared, avowed, acknowledged, or claimed; as, a professed foe; a professed tyrant; a professed Christian. The professed (R. C. Ch.) , a certain class among the Jesuits bound by a special vow. See the note under Jesuit.
Difficulty: 17.05
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3917
The
brothers
of
the
murdered
man
stalked
among
them,
giving
encouragement
and
consolation
while
they
castigated
the
backsliders
for
their
cowardice.
835
ingenuously
prev
next
Definition
Definition
In an ingenuous manner; openly; fairly; candidly; artlessly. Being required to explane himself, he ingeniously confessed. Ludlow.
"ingeniously": In an ingenious manner; with ingenuity; skillfully; wittily; cleverly. "Too ingeniously politic." Sir W. Temple.
"candidly": In a candid manner.
"artlessly": In an artless manner; without art, skill, or guile; unaffectedly. Pope.
Difficulty: 17.05
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6054
He
stared
at
me
ingenuously,
unaware
that
the
question
might
embarrass
me
or
be
taken
as
rude.
836
quadrangle
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. (Geom.) A plane figure having four angles, and consequently four sides; any figure having four angles. 2. A square or quadrangular space or inclosure, such a space or court surrounded by buildings, esp. such a court in a college or public school in England.
"inclosure": 1. The act of inclosing; the state of being inclosed, shut up, or encompassed; the separation of land from common ground by a fence. 2. That which is inclosed or placed within something; a thing contained; a space inclosed or fenced up. Within the inclosure there was a great store of houses. Hakluyt. 3. That which incloses; a barrier or fence. Breaking our inclosures every morn. W. Browne.
"quadrangular": Having four angles, and consequently four sides; tetragonal. -- Quad*ran"gu*lar*ly, adv.
Difficulty: 17.05
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12322
On
the
other
side
it
looked
out,
through
steel
mesh,
onto
the
quadrangle
of
the
police
compound.
837
pronouncement
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The act of pronouncing; a declaration; a formal announcement.
Difficulty: 17.05
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 14786
There
was
such
apodictic
certitude
in
Khader’s
every
pronouncement,
such
a
decisive,
incontrovertible
assurance
in
the
man,
that
it
informed
and
composed
even
his
stillnesses
and
silences.
839
toleration
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The act of tolerating; the allowance of that which is not wholly approved. 2. Specifically, the allowance of religious opinions and modes of worship in a state when contrary to, or different from, those of the established church or belief. 3. Hence, freedom from bigotry and severity in judgment of the opinions or belief of others, especially in respect to religious matters.
Difficulty: 17.04
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3267
When
I
understood
that,
a
great
many
of
the
characteristically
perplexing
aspects
of
public
life
became
comprehensible:
from
the
acceptance
of
sprawling
slums
by
city
authorities,
to
the
freedom
that
cows
had
to
roam
at
random
in
the
midst
of
traffic;
from
the
toleration
of
beggars
on
the
streets,
to
the
concatenate
complexity
of
the
bureaucracies;
and
from
the
gorgeous,
unashamed
escapism
of
Bollywood
movies,
to
the
accommodation
of
hundreds
of
thousands
of
refugees
from
Tibet,
Iran,
Afghanistan,
Africa,
and
Bangladesh,
in
a
country
that
was
already
too
crowded
with
sorrows
and
needs
of
its
own.
840
piquantly
prev
next
Definition
Definition
In a piquant manner.
Difficulty: 17.04
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7626
The
food
was
much
more
piquantly
spiced
with
chillies
and
curries
than
any
available
in
restaurants
in
the
city,
and
much
more
delicious.
841
thumbtacks
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.04
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11153
He
marvelled
at
how
long
it
had
taken
to
drive
thumbtacks
into
its
wriggling
paws.
842
skein
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. A quantity of yarn, thread, or the like, put up together, after it is taken from the reel, -- usually tied in a sort of knot. Note: A skein of cotton yarn is formed by eighty turns of the thread round a fifty-four inch reel. 2. (Wagon Making) A metallic strengthening band or thimble on the wooden arm of an axle. Knight.
A flight of wild fowl (wild geese or the like). [Prov. Eng.]
Difficulty: 17.04
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13719
It
astonished
me,
and
it
hurt
me,
after
all
I’d
done
there,
and
for
all
that
they’d
included
me
in
the
ragged
skein
of
their
too-many
lives,
that
they
still
expected
me
to
leave
them,
without
a
word
of
farewell,
whenever
the
whim
possessed
me.
843
therefor
prev
next
Definition
Definition
For that, or this; for it. With certain officers ordained therefore. Chaucer.
Difficulty: 17.04
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13805
Lin
built
it,
and
he’s
been
working
therefor
a
long
time,
helping
the
people…
And
they
say
stuff
like,
Everybody
here
has
been
treated
at
Lin’s
clinic,
free
of
charge,
at
one
time
or
another,
and
he
did
a
great
job
when
the
cholera
came…
And
they
told
the
cops
about
that
little
school
you
started,
You
see
that
little
school
for
English?
844
stochastically
prev
next
Definition (stochastic)
Definition (stochastic)
Conjectural; able to conjecture. [Obs.] Whitefoot.
"conjectural": Dependent on conjecture; fancied; imagined; guessed at; undetermined; doubtful. And mak'st conjectural fears to come into me. Shak. A slight expense of conjectural analogy. Hugh Miller. Who or what such editor may be, must remain conjectural. Carlyle.
Difficulty: 17.04
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17135
Some
foreigners
I’d
dealt
with
had
told
me
that
they
loathed
the
kaleidoscopic
turmoil
of
musical
numbers,
bursting
stochastically
between
weeping
mothers,
sighing
infatuates,
and
brawling
villains.
845
fractious
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Apt to break out into a passion; apt to scold; cross; snappish; ugly; unruly; as, a fractious man; a fractious horse. Syn. -- Snappish; peevish; waspish; cross; irritable; perverse; pettish. -- Frac"tious*ly, v. -- Frac"tious*ness, n.
"waspish": 1. Resembling a wasp in form; having a slender waist, like a wasp. 2. Quick to resent a trifling affront; characterized by snappishness; irritable; irascible; petulant; snappish. He was naturally a waspish and hot man. Bp. Hall. Much do I suffer, much, to keep in peace This jealous, waspish, wrong-head, rhyming race. Pope. Syn. -- Snappish; petulant; irritable; irascible; testy; peevish; captious. -- Wasp"ish*ly, adv. -- Wasp"ish*ness, n.
"snappish": 1. Apt to snap at persons or things; eager to bite; as, a snapping cur. 2. Sharp in reply; apt to speak angrily or testily; easily provoked; tart; peevish. The taunting address of a snappish missanthrope. Jeffrey. -- Snap"pish*ly, adv. -- Snap"pish*ness, n.
"peevish": 1. Habitually fretful; easily vexed or fretted; hard to please; apt to complain; querulous; petulant. "Her peevish babe." Wordsworth. She is peevish, sullen, froward. Shak. 2. Expressing fretfulness and discontent, or unjustifiable dissatisfaction; as, a peevish answer. 3. Silly; childish; trifling. [Obs.] To send such peevish tokens to a king. Shak. Syn. -- Querulous; petulant; cross; ill-tempered; testy; captious; discontented. See Fretful.
"pettish": Fretful; peevish; moody; capricious; inclined to ill temper. "A pettish kind of humor." Sterne. -- Pet"tish*ly, adv. -- Pet"tish*ness, n.
Difficulty: 17.02
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 261
The
little
guide
grabbed
my
sleeve
to
lead
me
away
from
the
fractious
group,
and
toward
the
back
of
the
bus.
846
dexterous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Ready and expert in the use of the body and limbs; skillful and active with the hands; handy; ready; as, a dexterous hand; a dexterous workman. 2. Skillful in contrivance; quick at inventing expedients; expert; as, a dexterous manager. Dexterous the craving, fawning crowd to quit. Pope. 3. Done with dexterity; skillful; artful; as, dexterous management. "Dexterous sleights of hand." Trench. Syn. -- Adroit; active; expert; skillful; clever; able; ready; apt; handy; versed.
"adroit": Dexterous in the use of the hands or in the exercise of the mental faculties; exhibiting skill and readiness in avoiding danger or escaping difficulty; ready in invention or execution; -- applied to persons and to acts; as, an adroit mechanic, an adroit reply. "Adroit in the application of the telescope and quadrant." Horsley. "He was adroit in intrigue." Macaulay. Syn. -- Dexterous; skillful; expert; ready; clever; deft; ingenious; cunning; ready-witted.
"contrivance": 1. The act or faculty of contriving, inventing, devising, or planning. The machine which we are inspecting demonstrates, by its construction, contrivance and design. Contrivance must have had a contriver. Paley. 2. The thing contrived, invented, or planned; disposition of parts or causes by design; a scheme; plan; atrifice; arrangement. Government is a contrivance of human wisdom to provide for human wants. Burke. Syn. -- Device; plan; scheme; invention; machine; project; design; artifice; shift. See Device.
Difficulty: 17.02
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 604
The
many
customers
crowded
around
his
stall
purchased
the
leaves
as
fast
as
his
dexterous
hands
could
fill
them.
847
sacramental
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Of or pertaining to a sacrament or the sacraments; of the nature of a sacrament; sacredly or solemny binding; as, sacramental rites or elements. 2. Bound by a sacrament. The sacramental host of God's elect. Cowper.
That which relates to a sacrament. Bp. Morton.
Difficulty: 17.02
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9624
‘A
man
…’
he
began,
intoning
the
words
with
sacramental
solemnity.
848
sterilised
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.02
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11491
Soup
kitchens
would
be
established
in
the
chai
shops
and
restaurants
to
provide
safe,
boiled
food
and
sterilised
cups
and
bowls.
849
contiguous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
In actual contact; touching; also, adjacent; near; neighboring; adjoining. The two halves of the paper did not appear fully divided . . . but seemed contiguous at one of their angles. Sir I. Newton. Sees no contiguous palace rear its head. Goldsmith. Contiguous angles. See Adjacent angles, under Angle. Syn. -- Adjoining; adjacent. See Adjacent. - Con*tig"u*ous*ly, adv. -- Con*tig"u*ous*ness, n.
Difficulty: 17.02
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26112
The
Walidlalla
council
held
a
contiguous
border
with
our
own.
850
frontage
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The front part of an edifice or lot; extent of front.
"edifice": A building; a structure; an architectural fabric; -- chiefly applied to elegant houses, and other large buildings; as, a palace, a church, a statehouse.
Difficulty: 17.01
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1359
The
rectangular
ground-floor
room
occupied
a
frontage
equal
to
any
four
other
restaurants,
and
was
served
by
two
metal
doors
that
rolled
up
into
wooden
arches
to
give
an
expansive
view
of
the
Causeway,
Colaba’s
busiest
and
most
colourful
street.
851
sickbed
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.01
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18168
Maurizio
gagged
him,
tied
him
to
the
sickbed,
and
went
to
work
on
him
with
the
stiletto.
852
solidity
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The state or quality of being solid; density; consistency, -- opposed to fluidity; compactness; fullness of matter, -- opposed to openness or hollowness; strength; soundness, -- opposed to weakness or instability; the primary quality or affection of matter by which its particles exclude or resist all others; hardness; massiveness. That which hinders the approach of two bodies when they are moving one toward another, I call solidity. Locke. 2. Moral firmness; soundness; strength; validity; truth; certainty; - - as opposed to weakness or fallaciousness; as, the solidity of arguments or reasoning; the solidity of principles, triuths, or opinions. 3. (Geom.) The solid contents of a body; volume; amount of inclosed space. Syn. -- Firmness; solidness; hardness; density; compactness; strength; soundness; validity; certainty.
"soundness": The quality or state of being sound; as, the soundness of timber, of fruit, of the teeth, etc.; the soundness of reasoning or argument; soundness of faith. Syn. -- Firmness; strength; solidity; healthiness; truth; rectitude.
"firmness": The state or quality of being firm. Syn. -- Firmness, Constancy. Firmness belongs to the will, and constancy to the affections and principles; the former prevents us from yielding, and the latter from fluctuating. Without firmness a man has no character; "without constancy," says Addison, "there is neither love, friendship, nor virtue in the world."
"massiveness": The state or quality of being massive; massiness.
"solidness": 1. State or quality of being solid; firmness; compactness; solidity, as of material bodies. 2. Soundness; strength; truth; validity, as of arguments, reasons, principles, and the like.
"hollowness": 1. State of being hollow. Bacon. 2. Insincerity; unsoundness; treachery. South.
"compactness": The state or quality of being compact; close union of parts; density.
"fluidity": The quality of being fluid or capable of flowing; a liquid, aëriform. or gaseous state; -- opposed to solidity. It was this want of organization, this looseness and fluidity of the new movement, that made it penetrate through every class of society. J. R. Green.
Difficulty: 17.01
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 22144
Some
of
the
older
Afghan
fighters
rejected
the
newer
weapon,
with
its
smaller
5.45-millimetre
round
and
its
orange
plastic
magazine,
preferring
the
solidity
of
the
heavier
AK-47.
853
pockmarked
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Marked by smallpox; pitted.
Difficulty: 17.01
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23842
He’d
survived
smallpox
as
a
child,
and
his
face
was
severely
pockmarked
with
dozens
of
small,
brown,
dish-like
spots.
854
suchlike
prev
next
Difficulty: 17.00
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8900
We
meet
every
month,
at
least
one
time,
and
when
our
business
and
private
matters
are
finished,
we
talk
about
philosophical
subjects
and
the
suchlike.
855
refracted
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. (Bot. & Zoöl.) Bent backward angularly, as if half-broken; as, a refracted stem or leaf. 2. Turned from a direct course by refraction; as, refracted rays of light.
"angularly": In an angular manner; with of at angles or corners. B. Jonson.
"refraction": 1. The act of refracting, or the state of being refracted. 2. The change in the direction of ray of light, heat, or the like, when it enters obliquely a medium of a different density from that through which it has previously moved. Refraction out of the rarer medium into the denser, is made towards the perpendicular. Sir I. Newton. 3. (Astron.) (a) The change in the direction of a ray of light, and, consequently, in the apparent position of a heavenly body from which it emanates, arising from its passage through the earth's atmosphere; -- hence distinguished as atmospheric refraction, or astronomical refraction. (b) The correction which is to be deducted from the apparent altitude of a heavenly body on account of atmospheric refraction, in order to obtain the true altitude. Angle of refraction (Opt.), the angle which a refracted ray makes with the perpendicular to the surface separating the two media traversed by the ray. -- Conical refraction (Opt.), the refraction of a ray of light into an infinite number of rays, forming a hollow cone. This occurs when a ray of light is passed through crystals of some substances, under certain circumstances. Conical refraction is of two kinds; external conical refraction, in which the ray issues from the crystal in the form of a cone, the vertex of which is at the point of emergence; and internal conical refraction, in which the ray is changed into the form of a cone on entering the crystal, from which it issues in the form of a hollow cylinder. This singular phenomenon was first discovered by Sir W. R. Hamilton by mathematical reasoning alone, unaided by experiment. -- Differential refraction (Astron.), the change of the apparent place of one object relative to a second object near it, due to refraction; also, the correction required to be made to the observed relative places of the two bodies. -- Double refraction (Opt.), the refraction of light in two directions, which produces two distinct images. The power of double refraction is possessed by all crystals except those of the isometric system. A uniaxial crystal is said to be optically positive (like quartz), or optically negative (like calcite), or to have positive, or negative, double refraction, according as the optic axis is the axis of least or greatest elasticity for light; a biaxial crystal is similarly designated when the same relation holds for the acute bisectrix. -- Index of refraction. See under Index. -- Refraction circle (Opt.), an instrument provided with a graduated circle for the measurement of refraction. -- Refraction of latitude, longitude, declination, right ascension, etc., the change in the apparent latitude, longitude, etc., of a heavenly body, due to the effect of atmospheric refraction. -- Terrestrial refraction, the change in the apparent altitude of a distant point on or near the earth's surface, as the top of a mountain, arising from the passage of light from it to the eye through atmospheric strata of varying density.
Difficulty: 17.00
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 16866
I
remembered
the
excitement
that
had
refracted
in
his
eyes,
and
the
pride,
perhaps,
when
I’d
proved
that
I
understood
his
teaching.
856
handcart
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A cart drawn or pushed by hand.
Difficulty: 17.00
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 19306
There
was
a
handcart
on
the
highway
road.
857
nuzzled
prev
next
Definition (nuzzle)
Definition (nuzzle)
1. To noursle or nurse; to foster; to bring up. [Obs.] The people had been nuzzled in idolatry. Milton. 2. Etym: [Perh. a corruption of nestle. Cf. Nustle.] To nestle; to house, as in a nest.
1. To work with the nose, like a swine in the mud. And nuzzling in his flank, the loving swine Sheathed, unaware, the tusk in his soft groin. Shak. He charged through an army of lawyers, sometimes . . . nuzzling like an eel in the mud. Arbuthnot. 2. To go with head poised like a swine, with nose down. Sir Roger shook his ears, and nuzzled along. Arbuthnot. 3. Etym: [Cf. Nuzzle, v. t., 2.] To hide the head, as a child in the mother's bosom; to nestle. 4. To loiter; to idle. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
"idolatry": 1. The worship of idols, images, or anything which is not God; the worship of false gods. His eye surveyed the dark idolatries Of alienated Judah. Milton. 2. Excessive attachment or veneration for anything; respect or love which borders on adoration. Shak.
"nestle": 1. To make and occupy a nest; to nest. [Obs.] The kingfisher ... nestles in hollow banks. L'Estrange. 2. To lie close and snug, as a bird in her nest; to cuddle up; to settle, as in a nest; to harbor; to take shelter. Their purpose was to fortify in some strong place of the wild country, and there nestle till succors came. Bacon. 3. To move about in one's place, like a bird when shaping the interior of her nest or a young bird getting close to the parent; as, a child nestles.
To house, as in a nest. 2. To cherish, as a bird her young.
"sheathed": 1. Povided with, or inclosed in, sheath. 2. (Bot.) Invested by a sheath, or cylindrical membranaceous tube, which is the base of the leaf, as the stalk or culm in grasses; vaginate.
"noursle": To nurse; to rear; to bring up. [Obs.] [Written also nosel, nousel, nousle, nowsle, nusle, nuzzle, etc.] She noursled him till years he raught. Spenser.
"etym": See Etymon. H. F. Talbot.
"nustle": To fondle; to cherish. [Obs.]
Difficulty: 16.99
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9607
When
the
bear-handlers
rushed
to
greet
him,
Kano
drove
his
snout
into
their
armpits,
and
nuzzled
in
their
long,
dread-locked
hair,
snuffling
and
sniffing
at
their
scent.
858
pustules
prev
next
Definition (pustule)
Definition (pustule)
A vesicle or an elevation of the cuticle with an inflamed base, containing pus. Malignant pustule. See under Malignant.
"cuticle": 1. (Anat.) The scarfskin or epidermis. See Skin. 2. (Bot.) The outermost skin or pellicle of a plant, found especially in leaves and young stems. 3. A thin skin formed on the surface of a liquid.
"vesicle": A bladderlike vessel; a membranous cavity; a cyst; a cell. Specifically: --(a) (Bot.) A small bladderlike body in the substance of vegetable, or upon the surface of a leaf. (b) (Med.) A small, and more or less circular, elevation of the cuticle, containing a clear watery fluid. (c) (Anat.) A cavity or sac, especially one filled with fluid; as, the umbilical vesicle. (d) (Zoöl.) A small convex hollow prominence on the surface of a shell or a coral. (e) (Geol.) A small cavity, nearly spherical in form, and usually of the size of a pea or smaller, such as are common in some volcanic rocks. They are produced by the liberation of watery vapor in the molten mass.
Difficulty: 16.99
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12648
The
small,
round
wounds
they
made
soon
festered
into
poison-filled
pustules.
859
frieze
prev
next
Definition
Definition
(a) That part of the entablature of an order which is between the architrave and cornice. It is a flat member or face, either uniform or broken by triglyphs, and often enriched with figures and other ornaments of sculpture. (b) Any sculptured or richly ornamented band in a building or, by extension, in rich pieces of furniture. See Illust. of Column. Cornice or frieze with bossy sculptures graven. Milton.
A kind of coarse woolen cloth or stuff with a shaggy or tufted (friezed) nap on one side. "Robes of frieze." Goldsmith.
To make a nap on (cloth); to friz. See Friz, v. t., 2. Friezing machine, a machine for friezing cloth; a friezing machine.
"woolen": 1. Made of wool; consisting of wool; as, woolen goods. 2. Of or pertaining to wool or woolen cloths; as, woolen manufactures; a woolen mill; a woolen draper. Woolen scribbler, a machine for combing or preparing wool in thin, downy, translucent layers.
Cloth made of wool; woollen goods.
"graven": Carved. Graven image, an idol; an object of worship carved from wood, stone, etc. "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image." Ex. xx. 4.
"cornice": Any horizontal, molded or otherwise decorated projection which crowns or finishes the part to which it is affixed; as, the cornice of an order, pedestal, door, window, or house. Gwilt. Cornice ring, the ring on a cannon next behind the muzzle ring.
"friz": 1. To curl or form into small curls, as hair, with a crisping pin; to crisp. With her hair frizzed short up to her ears. Pepys. 2. To form into little burs, prominences, knobs, or tufts, as the nap of cloth. 3. (Leather Manufacture) To soften and make of even thickness by rubbing, as with pumice stone or a blunt instrument. Frizzing machine. (a) (Fabrics) A machine for frizzing the surface of cloth. (b) (Wood Working) A bench with a revolving cutter head slightly protruding above its surface, for dressing boards.
That which is frizzed; anything crisped or curled, as a wig; a frizzle. [Written also frizz.] He [Dr. Johnson], who saw in his glass how his wig became his face and head, might easily infer that a similar fullbottomed, well-curled friz of words would be no less becoming to his thoughts. Hare.
"friezed": Gathered, or having the map gathered, into little tufts, knots, or protuberances. Cf. Frieze, v. t., and Friz, v. t., 2.
"entablature": The superstructure which lies horizontally upon the columns. See Illust. of Column, Cornice. Note: It is commonly divided into architrave, the part immediately above the column; frieze, the central space; and cornice, the upper projecting moldings. Parker.
"tufted": 1. Adorned with a tuft; as, the tufted duck. 2. Growing in tufts or clusters; tufty. The tufted crowtoe, and pale jessamine. Milton. Tufted trees and springing corn. Pope. Tufted duck (Zoöl.), the ring-necked duck. [Local, U.S.]
"architrave": (a) The lower division of an entablature, or that part which rests immediately on the column, esp. in classical architecture. See Column. (b) The group of moldings, or other architectural member, above and on both sides of a door or other opening, especially if square in form.
Difficulty: 16.99
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27308
The
elderly
sculptor
raised
his
grizzled
brows
when
we
entered
his
hut,
but
affected
to
ignore
us
and
continued
with
the
work
of
sanding
and
polishing
a
newly
moulded
section
of
a
fibreglass
religious
frieze
almost
two
metres
in
length.
860
irascible
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Prone to anger; easily provoked or inflamed to anger; choleric; irritable; as, an irascible man; an irascible temper or mood. -- I*ras"ci*ble*ness, n. -- I*ras"ci*bly, adv.
"choleric": 1. Abounding with, or producing choler, or bile. Dryden. 2. Easily irritated; irascible; inclined to anger. 3. Angry; indicating anger; excited by anger. "Choleric speech." Sir W. Raleigh. Choleric temperament, the bilious temperament.
Difficulty: 16.97
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 5393
A
cool
wind
carried
the
clean,
salt
air
in
irascible
gusts.
861
prohibitive
prev
next
Definition
Definition
That prohibits; prohibitory; as, a tax whose effect is prohibitive.
"prohibitory": Tending to prohibit, forbid, or exclude; implying prohibition; forbidding; as, a prohibitory law; a prohibitory price. Prohibitory index. (R. C. Ch.) See under Index.
Difficulty: 16.97
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 14047
The
cost
of
the
licence
had
always
been
prohibitive
for
Prabaker,
and
it
had
eluded
his
sub-miniature
talent
for
thrift.
862
headwaiter
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.96
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 5577
The
headwaiter,
a
young
Maharashtrian,
hurried
up
to
the
car
and
nodded
energetically
as
our
driver
ordered
for
us.
863
hydrochloride
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A compound of hydrochloric acid with a base; -- distinguished from a chloride, where only chlorine unites with the base.
Difficulty: 16.96
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6371
There
was
morphine
hydrochloride,
penicillin,
and
antibiotics
for
staph
and
strep
infections.
864
vilify
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. To make vile; to debase; to degrade; to disgrace. [R.] When themselves they vilified To serve ungoverned appetite. Milton. 2. To degrade or debase by report; to defame; to traduce; to calumniate. I. Taylor. Many passions dispose us to depress and vilify the merit of one rising in the esteem of mankind. Addison. 3. To treat as vile; to despise. [Obs.] I do vilify your censure. Beau. & Fl.
"calumniate": To accuse falsely and maliciously of a crime or offense, or of something disreputable; to slander; to libel. Hatred unto the truth did always falsely report and calumniate all godly men's doings. Strype. Syn. -- To asperse; slander; defame; vilify; traduce; belie; bespatter; blacken; libel. See Asperse.
To propagate evil reports with a design to injure the reputation of another; to make purposely false charges of some offense or crime.
"debase": To reduce from a higher to a lower state or grade of worth, dignity, purity, station, etc.; to degrade; to lower; to deteriorate; to abase; as, to debase the character by crime; to debase the mind by frivolity; to debase style by vulgar words. The coin which was adulterated and debased. Hale. It is a kind of taking God's name in vain to debase religion with such frivolous disputes. Hooker. And to debase the sons, exalts the sires. Pope. Syn. -- To abase; degrade. See Abase.
"traduce": 1. To transfer; to transmit; to hand down; as, to traduce mental qualities to one's descendants. [Obs.] Glanvill. 2. To translate from one language to another; as, to traduce and compose works. [Obs.] Golden Boke. 3. To increase or distribute by propagation. [Obs.] From these only the race of perfect animals were propagated and traduced over the earth. Sir M. Hale. 4. To draw away; to seduce. [Obs.] I can forget the weakness Of the traduced soldiers. Beau. & Fl. 5. To represent; to exhibit; to display; to expose; to make an example of. [Obs.] Bacon. 6. To expose to contempt or shame; to represent as blamable; to calumniate; to vilify; to defame. The best stratagem that Satan hath . . . is by traducing the form and manner of them [prayers], to bring them into contempt. Hooker. He had the baseness . . . to traduce me in libel. Dryden. Syn. -- To calumniate; vilify; defame; disparage; detract; depreciate; decry; slander.
Difficulty: 16.96
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6835
For
several
hours,
his
friends
and
relatives
and
neighbours
took
turns
to
vilify
and
accuse
him,
beating
him
with
the
stick
he’d
used
to
assault
his
wife
so
savagely.
865
plasticine
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.96
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8887
I’d
just
begun
to
master
the
sloppy
grin
that
dumped
itself
on
the
plasticine
muscles
of
my
face
when
it
was
my
turn
to
smoke
again.
866
midriff
prev
next
Definition
Definition
See Diaphragm, n., 2. Smote him into the midriff with a stone. Milton.
"smote": imp. (and rare p. p.) of Smite.
Difficulty: 16.96
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18671
Their
jewels—hair
clusters,
plait
tassels,
ear
rings,
nose
rings,
necklaces,
midriff
chains,
bangles,
and
anklets—struck
such
sparks
of
light
from
lanterns
and
electric
bulbs
that
people
blinked
and
flinched
to
look
at
them.
867
gyrating
prev
next
Definition (gyrate)
Definition (gyrate)
Winding or coiled round; curved into a circle; taking a circular course.
To revolve round a central point; to move spirally about an axis, as a tornado; to revolve.
"spirally": In a spiral form, manner, or direction.
Difficulty: 16.96
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18720
I
joined
the
thick,
gyrating
jungle
of
men
in
front
of
the
stage,
and
danced
until
my
thin
shirt
clung
to
me
like
seaweed
in
a
shallow
wave.
868
maan
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.96
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26751
‘Gora
chierra,
kala
maan,’
I
said
in
answer,
making
circling
gestures
over
my
face
and
my
heart.
869
agape
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Gaping, as with wonder, expectation, or eager attention. Dazzles the crowd and sets them all agape. Milton.
The love feast of the primitive Christians, being a meal partaken of in connection with the communion.
Difficulty: 16.95
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24442
‘Who
survived
with
you?’
he
asked,
his
mouth
agape.
870
indefinable
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Incapable of being defined or described; inexplicable. Bp. Reynolds.
Difficulty: 16.94
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3869
She
smiled
back
at
him,
despite
herself,
and
felt
a
rush
of
well-being,
an
indefinable
but
overwhelmingly
sanguine
cheerfulness.
871
lawbreakers
prev
next
Definition (lawbreaker)
Definition (lawbreaker)
One who disobeys the law; a criminal. -- Law"break`ing, n. & a.
Difficulty: 16.94
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4251
The
men
we
joined
in
the
bar
were
workers,
farmers,
and
a
routine
assortment
of
lawbreakers.
872
outbuildings
prev
next
Definition (outbuilding)
Definition (outbuilding)
A building separate from, and subordinate to, the main house; an outhouse.
Difficulty: 16.94
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6287
Beyond
the
sub-station
itself
were
office
outbuildings,
storage
warehouses,
and
maintenance
sheds.
873
gnashed
prev
next
Definition (gnash)
Definition (gnash)
To strike together, as in anger or pain; as, to gnash the teeth.
To grind or strike the teeth together. There they him laid, Gnashing for anguish, and despite, and shame. Milton.
Difficulty: 16.94
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6344
‘Thank
you
very
much,
Abdullah,’
I
gnashed
out
through
clenched
teeth.
874
swaddled
prev
next
Definition (swaddle)
Definition (swaddle)
Anything used to swaddle with, as a cloth or band; a swaddling band. They put me in bed in all my swaddles. Addison.
1. To bind as with a bandage; to bind or warp tightly with clothes; to swathe; -- used esp. of infants; as, to swaddle a baby. They swaddled me up in my nightgown with long pieces of linen. Addison. 2. To beat; to cudgel. [Obs.] Hudibras.
"swathe": To bind with a swathe, band, bandage, or rollers. Their children are never swathed or bound about with any thing when they are first born. Abp. Abbot.
A bandage; a band; a swath. Wrapped me in above an hundred yards of swathe. Addison. Milk and a swathe, at first, his whole demand. Young. The solemn glory of the afternoon, with its long swathes of light between the far off rows of limes. G. Eliot.
"swaddling": from Swaddle, v. Swaddling band, Swaddling cloth, or Swaddling clout, a band or cloth wrapped round an infant, especially round a newborn infant. Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke ii. 12.
"cudgel": A staff used in cudgel play, shorter than the quarterstaff, and wielded with one hand; hence, any heavy stick used as a weapon. He getteth him a grievous crabtree cudgel and . . . falls to rating of them as if they were dogs. Bunyan. Cudgel play, a fight or sportive contest with cudgels. -- To cross the cudgels, to forbear or give up the contest; -- a phrase borrowed from the practice of cudgel players, who lay one cudgel over another when the contest is ended. -- To take up cudgels for, to engage in a contest in behalf of (some one or something).
To beat with a cudgel. An he here, I would cudgel him like a dog. Shak. To cudgel one's brains, to exercise one's wits.
Difficulty: 16.94
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23871
My
hands
were
aching,
and
my
feet,
swaddled
in
three
or
more
layers
of
socks,
felt
as
if
they
were
burning.
875
expatriates
prev
next
Definition (expatriate)
Definition (expatriate)
1. To banish; to drive or force (a person) from his own country; to make an exile of. The expatriated landed interest of France. Burke. 2. Reflexively, as To expatriate one's self: To withdraw from one's native country; to renounce the rights and liabilities of citizenship where one is born, and become a citizen of another country.
Difficulty: 16.93
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2595
The
evening
crowd
of
tourists
from
Germany,
Switzerland,
France,
England,
Norway,
America,
Japan,
and
a
dozen
other
countries
thinned
out,
giving
way
to
the
night
crowd
of
Indians
and
expatriates
who
called
Bombay
home.
876
flagstones
prev
next
Definition (flagstone)
Definition (flagstone)
A flat stone used in paving, or any rock which will split into such stones. See Flag, a stone.
Difficulty: 16.93
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9716
They
seemed
to
be
unafraid
of
him,
even
to
recognise
him,
and
they
settled
on
the
flagstones
once
more,
following
him
like
tame
puppies.
877
summarised
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.93
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13612
‘I
buy
a
thousand
American
dollars,
from
a
tourist,
for
eighteen
thousand
rupees,
when
the
bank
exchange
rate
is
set
at
fifteen,’
Khaled
summarised.
878
coalesced
prev
next
Definition (coalesce)
Definition (coalesce)
1. To grow together; to unite by growth into one body; as, the parts separated by a wound coalesce. 2. To unite in one body or product; to combine into one body or community; as, vapors coalesce. The Jews were incapable of coalescing with other nations. Campbell. Certain combinations of ideas that, once coalescing, could not be shaken loose. De Quincey. Syn. -- See Add.
Difficulty: 16.93
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18379
The
crowd
that
had
coalesced
there
dispersed
and
disappeared.
879
topiary
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Of or pertaining to ornamental gardening; produced by cutting, trimming, etc.; topiarian. Topiary work, arbors, shrubbery, hedges, or the like, cut and trimmed into fanciful forms, as of animals, building, etc.
"shrubbery": 1. A collection of shrubs. 2. A place where shrubs are planted. Macaulay.
"topiarian": Of or pertaining to the ornamental cutting and trimming of trees, hedges, etc.; practicing ornamental gardening. [R.] "The topiarian artist." Sir W. Scott. All the pedantries of the topiarian art. C. Kingsley.
Difficulty: 16.93
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18829
I
sat
beneath
huge,
fire-breathing
dragons
and
ate
Chinese
broccoli
with
snow
peas,
garlic
spinach,
fried
bean
curd,
and
mushrooms
in
black
bean
sauce
by
the
light
of
paper
lanterns,
while
the
windows
gave
a
view
of
castellated
battlements,
gothic
arches,
and
rosestudded
topiary.
880
modernised
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.93
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23169
The
competition
between
the
groups
had
become
intense
as
Afghanistan
rapidly
modernised.
881
topmost
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Highest; uppermost; as, the topmost cliff; the topmost branch of a tree. The nightngale may claim the topmost bough. Cowper.
"uppermost": Highest in place, position, rank, power, or the like; upmost; supreme. Whatever faction happens to be uppermost. Swift.
Difficulty: 16.93
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24574
There
were
several
steps
above
the
one
on
which
I
stood,
and
I
imagined
her,
Madame
Zhou,
crouched
there
on
the
topmost
step
and
breathing
silently
while
she
watched,
and
watched.
882
expatriate
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. To banish; to drive or force (a person) from his own country; to make an exile of. The expatriated landed interest of France. Burke. 2. Reflexively, as To expatriate one's self: To withdraw from one's native country; to renounce the rights and liabilities of citizenship where one is born, and become a citizen of another country.
Difficulty: 16.93
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 25920
The
Iranian
expatriate
community
in
Bombay
was
huge,
and
I
had
many
friends
who’d
lost
their
homeland
and
their
families,
and
were
struggling
to
survive.
883
affray
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. To startle from quiet; to alarm. Smale foules a great heap That had afrayed [affrayed] me out of my sleep. Chaucer. 2. To frighten; to scare; to frighten away. That voice doth us affray. Shak.
1. The act of suddenly disturbing any one; an assault or attack. [Obs.] 2. Alarm; terror; fright. [Obs.] Spenser. 3. A tumultuous assault or quarrel; a brawl; a fray. "In the very midst of the affray." Motley. 4. (Law) The fighting of two or more persons, in a public place, to the terror of others. Blackstone. Note: A fighting in private is not, in a legal sense, an affray. Syn. -- Quarrel; brawl; scuffle; encounter; fight; contest; feud; tumult; disturbance.
"tumult": 1. The commotion or agitation of a multitude, usually accompanied with great noise, uproar, and confusion of voices; hurly-burly; noisy confusion. What meaneth the noise of this tumult 1 Sam. iv. 14. Till in loud tumult all the Greeks arose. Pope. 2. Violent commotion or agitation, with confusion of sounds; as, the tumult of the elements. Addison. 3. Irregular or confused motion; agitation; high excitement; as, the tumult of the spirits or passions. Syn. -- Uproar; ferment; disturbance; turbulence; disorder; confusion; noise; bluster; hubbub; bustle; stir; brawl; riot.
To make a tumult; to be in great commotion. [Obs.] Importuning and tumulting even to the fear of a revolt. Milton.
Difficulty: 16.93
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27367
It
took
only
seconds,
of
course,
for
more
pariah
dogs
to
join
in
the
howling
affray.
884
portent
prev
next
Definition
Definition
That which portends, or foretoken; esp., that which portends evil; a sign of coming calamity; an omen; a sign. Shak. My loss by dire portents the god foretold. Dryden.
"foretoken": Prognostic; previous omen. Sir P. Sidney.
To foreshow; to presignify; to prognosticate. Whilst strange prodigious signs foretoken blood. Daniel.
Difficulty: 16.91
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2267
And
with
the
seed
of
that
resolve,
born
in
that
convulsion
and
portent,
Prabaker’s
dark
circuit
of
the
city
began.
885
oases
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.91
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 5566
The
owners
of
certain
oases
of
noise
and
fun
were
permitted
to
bribe
various
officials
and
cops
in
order
to
stay
open,
virtually
all
night.
886
agonised
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.91
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8690
But
Nazeer
screwed
his
face
into
agonised
concentration,
and
spoke
with
unaccustomed
courtesy.
887
latecomers
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.91
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 10414
By
some
mysterious,
unspoken
consensus,
a
narrow
and
erratic
path
was
always
left
clean
along
the
course
of
the
track,
so
that
latecomers
might
enter
the
slum
without
stepping
in
the
filth
that
accumulated.
888
portents
prev
next
Definition (portent)
Definition (portent)
That which portends, or foretoken; esp., that which portends evil; a sign of coming calamity; an omen; a sign. Shak. My loss by dire portents the god foretold. Dryden.
"foretoken": Prognostic; previous omen. Sir P. Sidney.
To foreshow; to presignify; to prognosticate. Whilst strange prodigious signs foretoken blood. Daniel.
Difficulty: 16.91
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 10557
The
cloud-mottled
night
seemed
full
of
signs
and
portents,
as
if
fate
itself
was
warning
me
to
go
or
daring
me
to
stay.
889
recalcitrants
prev
next
Definition (recalcitrant)
Definition (recalcitrant)
Kicking back; recalcitrating; hence, showing repugnance or opposition; refractory.
"refractory": 1. Obstinate in disobedience; contumacious; stubborn; unmanageable; as, a refractory child; a refractory beast. Raging appetites that are Most disobedient and refractory. Shak. 2. Resisting ordinary treatment; difficult of fusion, reduction, or the like; -- said especially of metals and the like, which do not readily yield to heat, or to the hammer; as, a refractory ore. Syn. -- Perverse; contumacious; unruly; stubborn; obstinate; unyielding; ungovernable; unmanageable.
1. A refractory person. Bp. Hall. 2. Refractoriness. [Obs.] Jer. TAylor. 3. OPottery) A piece of ware covered with a vaporable flux and placed in a kiln, to communicate a glaze to the other articles. Knight.
"repugnance": The state or condition of being repugnant; opposition; contrariety; especially, a strong instinctive antagonism; aversion; reluctance; unwillingness, as of mind, passions, principles, qualities, and the like. That which causes us to lose most of our time is the repugnance which we naturally have to labor. Dryden. Let the foes quietly cut their throats, Without repugnancy. Shak. Syn. -- Aversion; reluctance; unwillingness; dislike; antipathy; hatred; hostility; irreconcilableness; contrariety; inconsistency. See Dislike.
Difficulty: 16.91
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 14560
Not
least
in
the
spheres
of
his
influence
was
intimidation,
through
force
or
blackmail,
of
political
and
bureaucratic
recalcitrants.
890
idiosyncratic
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Of peculiar temper or disposition; belonging to one's peculiar and individual character.
Difficulty: 16.91
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15284
Renowned
for
its
idiosyncratic
handling
as
much
as
for
its
reliability
and
durability,
the
Bullet
was
a
bike
that
demanded
a
relationship
with
its
rider.
891
anarchism
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The doctrine or practice of anarchists.
Difficulty: 16.91
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15551
‘No
political
philosophy
I
ever
heard
of
loves
the
human
race
as
much
as
anarchism.
892
roguish
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Vagrant. [Obs.] Spenser. His roguish madness Allows itself to anything. Shak. 2. Resembling, or characteristic of, a rogue; knavish. 3. Pleasantly mischievous; waggish; arch. The most bewitching leer with her eyes, the most roguish cast. Dryden. -- Rogu"ish*ly, adv. -- Rogu"ish*ness, n.
"waggish": 1. Like a wag; mischievous in sport; roguish in merriment or good humor; frolicsome. "A company of waggish boys." L'Estrange. 2. Done, made, or laid in waggery or for sport; sportive; humorous; as, a waggish trick. -- Wag"gish*ly, adv. -- Wag"gish*ness, n.
"knavish": 1. Like or characteristic of a knave; given to knavery; trickish; fraudulent; dishonest; villainous; as, a knavish fellow, or a knavish trick. "Knavish politicians." Macaulay. 2. Mischievous; roguish; waggish. Cupid is knavish lad, Thus to make poor females mad. Shak.
Difficulty: 16.91
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21585
‘Tell
me
once
more,’
Abdel
Khader
Khan
commanded,
with
a
roguish
smile
in
his
eye,
as
we
watched
the
dancers
from
a
vantage
point
beneath
a
shaded
wall.
893
terse
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Appearing as if rubbed or wiped off; rubbed; smooth; polished. [Obs.] Many stones, . . . although terse and smooth, have not this power attractive. Sir T. Browne. 2. Refined; accomplished; -- said of persons. [R. & Obs.] "Your polite and terse gallants." Massinger. 3. Elegantly concise; free of superfluous words; polished to smoothness; as, terse language; a terse style. Terse, luminous, and dignified eloquence. Macaulay. A poet, too, was there, whose verse Was tender, musical, and terse. Longfellow. Syn. -- Neat; concise; compact. Terse, Concise. Terse was defined by Johnson "cleanly written", i. e., free from blemishes, neat or smooth. Its present sense is "free from excrescences," and hence, compact, with smoothness, grace, or elegance, as in the following lones of Whitehead: - "In eight terse lines has Phædrus told (So frugal were the bards of old) A tale of goats; and closed with grace, Plan, moral, all, in that short space." It differs from concise in not implying, perhaps, quite as much condensation, but chiefly in the additional idea of "grace or elegance." -- Terse"ly, adv. -- Terse"ness, n.
"smoothness": Quality or state of being smooth.
Difficulty: 16.90
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1170
‘They’re
wrong,’
she
said
with
terse
finality.
894
airily
prev
next
Definition
Definition
In an airy manner; lightly; gaily; jauntily; fippantly.
"gaily": Merrily; showily. See gaily.
"jauntily": In a jaunty manner.
Difficulty: 16.90
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 5017
‘No
problem,
waiting,
Lin,’
Prabaker
replied,
airily.
895
topis
prev
next
Definition (topi)
Definition (topi)
An antelope (Damaliscus corrigum jimela) having a glossy purplish brown coat. It is related to the blesbok and is native of British East Africa. Also, any of various related varieties of other districts south of the Sahara.
"purplish": Somewhat purple. Boyle.
"blesbok": A South African antelope (Alcelaphus albifrons), having a large white spot on the forehead.
Difficulty: 16.90
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6327
He
is
the
king
here,
in
this
club
for
kala
topis.’
896
topi
prev
next
Definition
Definition
An antelope (Damaliscus corrigum jimela) having a glossy purplish brown coat. It is related to the blesbok and is native of British East Africa. Also, any of various related varieties of other districts south of the Sahara.
"purplish": Somewhat purple. Boyle.
"blesbok": A South African antelope (Alcelaphus albifrons), having a large white spot on the forehead.
Difficulty: 16.90
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6328
Kala
topi
means
black
hat
in
Hindi,
and
it’s
a
phrase
used,
sometimes,
to
describe
a
thief,
referring
to
the
black-banded
hats
that
convicted
thieves
were
forced
to
wear
in
Bombay’s
Arthur
Road
Prison.
897
tersely
prev
next
Definition (terse)
Definition (terse)
1. Appearing as if rubbed or wiped off; rubbed; smooth; polished. [Obs.] Many stones, . . . although terse and smooth, have not this power attractive. Sir T. Browne. 2. Refined; accomplished; -- said of persons. [R. & Obs.] "Your polite and terse gallants." Massinger. 3. Elegantly concise; free of superfluous words; polished to smoothness; as, terse language; a terse style. Terse, luminous, and dignified eloquence. Macaulay. A poet, too, was there, whose verse Was tender, musical, and terse. Longfellow. Syn. -- Neat; concise; compact. Terse, Concise. Terse was defined by Johnson "cleanly written", i. e., free from blemishes, neat or smooth. Its present sense is "free from excrescences," and hence, compact, with smoothness, grace, or elegance, as in the following lones of Whitehead: - "In eight terse lines has Phædrus told (So frugal were the bards of old) A tale of goats; and closed with grace, Plan, moral, all, in that short space." It differs from concise in not implying, perhaps, quite as much condensation, but chiefly in the additional idea of "grace or elegance." -- Terse"ly, adv. -- Terse"ness, n.
"smoothness": Quality or state of being smooth.
Difficulty: 16.90
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12023
‘Bad
business,
Lin,’
Anand
said
tersely.
898
rima
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A narrow and elongated aperture; a cleft; a fissure.
Difficulty: 16.90
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20870
And
so
it
was
that
I
rode
during
the
day,
acclimatising
myself
to
the
thinner
air
above
five
thousand
feet,
and
at
night
read
the
diaries
and
journals
of
long-dead
explorers,
extinct
editions
of
Greek
classics,
eccentrically
annotated
volumes
of
Shakespeare,
and
a
dizzyingly
passionate
terza
rima
translation
of
Dante’s
The
Divine
Comedy.
899
meniscus
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. A crescent. 2. (Opt.) A lens convex on one side and concave on the other. 3. (Anat.) An interarticular synovial cartilage or membrane; esp., one of the intervertebral synovial disks in some parts of the vertebral column of birds. Converging meniscus, Diverging meniscus. See Lens.
"intervertebral": Between vertebræ. -- In`ter*ver"te*bral*ly, adv.
"interarticular": Situated between joints or articulations; as, interarticular cartilages and ligaments.
"concave": 1. Hollow and curved or rounded; vaulted; -- said of the interior of a curved surface or line, as of the curve of the of the inner surface of an eggshell, in opposition to convex; as, a concave mirror; the concave arch of the sky. 2. Hollow; void of contents. [R.] As concave . . . as a worm-eaten nut. Shak.
1. A hollow; an arched vault; a cavity; a recess. Up to the fiery concave towering hight. Milton. 2. (Mech.) A curved sheath or breasting for a revolving cylinder or roll.
To make hollow or concave.
"vertebral": 1. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to a vertebræ, or the vertebral column; spinal; rachidian. 2. Vertebrate.
A vertebrate. [R.]
"diverging": Tending in different directions from a common center; spreading apart; divergent. Diverging series (Math.), a series whose terms are larger as the series is extended; a series the sum of whose terms does not approach a finite limit when the series is extended indefinitely; -- opposed to a converging series.
"convex": Rising or swelling into a spherical or rounded form; regularly protuberant or bulging; -- said of a spherical surface or curved line when viewed from without, in opposition to concave. Drops of water naturally form themselves into figures with a convex surface. Whewell. Double convex, convex on both sides; convexo-convex.
A convex body or surface. Half heaven's convex glitters with the flame. Tickell. Note: This word was often pronounced con-vex' by early writers, as by Milton, and occasionallyby later poets.
"synovial": Of or pertaining to synovia; secreting synovia. Synovial capsule, a closed sac of synovial membrane situated between the articular surfaces at diarthrodial joints. -- Synovial fluid, synovia. -- Synovial membrane, the dense and very smooth connective tissue membrane which secretes synovia and surrounds synovial capsules and other synovial cavities.
Difficulty: 16.90
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27884
SUNLIGHT
SHATTERED
ON
THE
WATER,
shedding
streaks
in
crystal-brilliant
slivers
across
waves
rolling
swollen
on
the
broad
meniscus
of
the
bay.
900
verbena
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A genus of herbaceous plants of which several species are extensively cultivated for the great beauty of their flowers; vervain. Note: Verbena, or vervain, was used by the Greeks, the Romans, and the Druids, in their sacred rites. Brewer. Essence of verbena, Oil of verbena, a perfume prepared from the lemon verbena; also, a similar perfume properly called grass oil. See Grass oil, under Grass. -- Lemon, or Sweet, verbena, a shrubby verbenaceous plant (Lippia citriodora), with narrow leaves which exhale a pleasant, lemonlike fragrance when crushed.
"shrubby": 1. Full of shrubs. 2. Of the nature of a shrub; resembling a shrub. "Shrubby browse." J. Philips.
"verbenaceous": Of or pertaining to a natural order (Verbenaceæ) of gamopetalous plants of which Verbena is the type. The order includes also the black and white mangroves, and many plants noted for medicinal use or for beauty of bloom.
"herbaceous": Of or pertaining to herbs; having the nature, texture, or characteristics, of an herb; as, herbaceous plants; an herbaceous stem.
Difficulty: 16.89
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17776
The
perfume
of
verbena
flowers
lingered
on
my
lips.
902
indolent
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Free from toil, pain, or trouble. [Obs.] 2. Indulging in ease; avoiding labor and exertion; habitually idle; lazy; inactive; as, an indolent man. To waste long nights in indolent repose. Pope. 3. (Med.) Causing little or no pain or annoyance; as, an indolent tumor. Syn. -- Idle; lazy; slothful; sluggish; listless; inactive; inert. See Idle.
"listless": Having no desire or inclination; indifferent; heedless; spiritless. " A listless unconcern." Thomson. Benumbed with cold, and listless of their gain. Dryden. I was listless, and desponding. Swift. Syn. -- Heedless; careless; indifferent; vacant; uninterested; languid; spiritless; supine; indolent. -- List"less*ly, adv. -- List"less*ness, n.
"slothful": Addicted to sloth; inactive; sluggish; lazy; indolent; idle. He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. Prov. xviii. 9. -- Sloth"ful*ly, adv. -- Sloth"ful*ness, n.
Difficulty: 16.88
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1192
He
spoke
a
lavishly
accented
English,
using
the
language
to
provoke
and
criticise
friend
and
stranger
alike
with
an
indolent
malignity.
903
curdle
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. To change into curd; to coagulate; as, rennet causes milk to curdle. Thomson. 2. To thicken; to congeal. Then Mary could feel her heart's blood curdle cold. Southey.
1. To change into curd; to cause to coagulate. "To curdle whites of eggs" Boyle. 2. To congeal or thicken. My chill blood is curdled in my veins. Dryden.
"coagulate": Coagulated. [Obs.] Shak.
To cause (a liquid) to change into a curdlike or semisolid state, not by evaporation but by some kind of chemical reaction; to curdle; as, rennet coagulates milk; heat coagulates the white of an egg.
To undergo coagulation. Boyle. Syn. -- To thicken; concrete; curdle; clot; congeal.
"thicken": To make thick (in any sense of the word). Specifically: -- (a) To render dense; to inspissate; as, to thicken paint. (b) To make close; to fill up interstices in; as, to thicken cloth; to thicken ranks of trees or men. (c) To strengthen; to confirm. [Obs.] And this may to thicken other proofs. Shak. (d) To make more frequent; as, to thicken blows.
To become thick. "Thy luster thickens when he shines by." Shak. The press of people thickens to the court. Dryden. The combat thickens, like the storm that flies. Dryden.
"rennet": A name of many different kinds of apples. Cf. Reinette. Mortimer.
The inner, or mucous, membrance of the fourth stomach of the calf, or other young ruminant; also, an infusion or preparation of it, used for coagulating milk. [Written also runnet.] Cheese rennet. (Bot.) See under Cheese. -- Rennet ferment (Physiol. Chem.), a ferment, present in rennet and in variable quantity in the gastric juice of most animals, which has the power of curdling milk. The ferment presumably acts by changing the casein of milk from a soluble to an insoluble form. -- Rennet stomach (Anat.), the fourth stomach, or abomasum, of ruminants.
"congeal": 1. To change from a fluid to a solid state by cold; to freeze. A vapory deluge lies to snow congealed. Thomson. 2. To affect as if by freezing; to check the flow of, or cause to run cold; to chill. As if with horror to congeal his blood. Stirling.
To grow hard, stiff, or thick, from cold or other causes; to become solid; to freeze; to cease to flow; to run cold; to be chilled. Lest zeal, now melted . . . Cool and congeal again to what it was. Shak.
Difficulty: 16.88
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2780
‘If
you
want
to
curdle
the
milk
of
your
human
kindness,
or
turn
your
compassion
into
contempt,
get
a
job
as
a
waitress
or
a
cleaner.
904
ayurvedic
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.88
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6612
In
the
main
I
approved
of
them,
and
even
adopted
them
wherever
it
was
possible,
preferring
some
of
the
ayurvedic
medicines
to
their
western
pharmaceutical
equivalents.
905
antechamber
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. A chamber or apartment before the chief apartment and leading into it, in which persons wait for audience; an outer chamber. See Lobby. 2. A space viewed as the outer chamber or the entrance to an interior part. The mouth, the antechamber to the digestive canal. Todd & Bowman.
Difficulty: 16.88
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9438
We
stepped
into
an
antechamber
that
contained
a
desk,
a
small
metal
chair,
and
a
bamboo
cot.
906
antechambers
prev
next
Definition (antechamber)
Definition (antechamber)
1. A chamber or apartment before the chief apartment and leading into it, in which persons wait for audience; an outer chamber. See Lobby. 2. A space viewed as the outer chamber or the entrance to an interior part. The mouth, the antechamber to the digestive canal. Todd & Bowman.
Difficulty: 16.88
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12326
Anyone
likely
to
stay
for
a
week
or
longer
in
the
Colaba
lock-up
climbed
the
steps
or
was
dragged
up
them,
as
I
was,
and
passed
through
the
sliding
steel
gate
into
one
of
hell’s
antechambers.
907
lilt
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. To do anything with animation and quickness, as to skip, fly, or hop. [Prov. Eng.] Wordsworth. 2. To sing cheerfully. [Scot.]
To utter with spirit, animation, or gayety; to sing with spirit and liveliness. A classic lecture, rich in sentiment, With scraps of thundrous epic lilted out By violet-hooded doctors. Tennyson.
1. Animated, brisk motion; spirited rhythm; sprightliness. The movement, the lilt, and the subtle charm of the verse. F. Harrison. 2. A lively song or dance; a cheerful tune. The housewife went about her work, or spun at her wheel, with a lilt upon her lips. J. C. Shairp.
"quickness": 1. The condition or quality of being quick or living; life. [Obs.] Touch it with thy celestial quickness. Herbert. 2. Activity; briskness; especially, rapidity of motion; speed; celerity; as, quickness of wit. This deed . . . must send thee hence With fiery quickness. Shak. His mind had, indeed, great quickness and vigor. Macaulay. 3. Acuteness of perception; keen sensibility. Would not quickness of sensation be an inconvenience to an animal that must lie still Locke 4. Sharpness; pungency of taste. Mortimer. Syn. -- Velocity; celerity; rapidity; speed; haste; expedition; promptness; dispatch; swiftness; nimbleness; fleetness; agility; briskness; liveliness; readiness; sagacity; shrewdness; shrewdness; sharpness; keenness.
"gayety": 1. The state of being gay; merriment; mirth; acts or entertainments prompted by, or inspiring, merry delight; -- used often in the plural; as, the gayeties of the season. 2. Finery; show; as, the gayety of dress. Syn. -- Liveliness; mirth; animation; vivacity; glee; blithesomeness; sprightliness; jollity. See Liveliness.
"thundrous": Thunderous; sonorous. "Scraps of thunderous epic." Tennyson.
"sprightliness": The quality or state of being sprightly; liveliness; life; briskness; vigor; activity; gayety; vivacity. In dreams, observe with what a sprightliness and alacrity does she [the soul] exert herself! Addison.
"liveliness": 1. The quality or state of being lively or animated; sprightliness; vivacity; animation; spirit; as, the liveliness of youth, contrasted with the gravity of age. B. Jonson. 2. An appearance of life, animation, or spirit; as, the liveliness of the eye or the countenance in a portrait. 3. Briskness; activity; effervescence, as of liquors. Syn. -- Sprightliness; gayety; animation; vivacity; smartness; briskness; activity. -- Liveliness, Gayety, Animation, Vivacity. Liveliness is an habitual feeling of life and interest; gayety refers more to a temporary excitement of the animal spirits; animation implies a warmth of emotion and a corresponding vividness of expressing it, awakened by the presence of something which strongly affects the mind; vivacity is a feeling between liveliness and animation, having the permanency of the one, and, to some extent, the warmth of the other. Liveliness of imagination; gayety of heart; animation of countenance; vivacity of gesture or conversation.
Difficulty: 16.88
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15801
‘Indeed,
they
are,’
he
said
in
the
mix
of
Indian
lilt
and
BBC
newsreader’s
tone
that
I’d
come
to
enjoy.
908
martinets
prev
next
Definition (martinet)
Definition (martinet)
In military language, a strict disciplinarian; in general, one who lays stress on a rigid adherence to the details of discipline, or to forms and fixed methods. [Hence, the word is commonly employed in a depreciatory sense.]
The martin.
"depreciatory": Tending to depreciate; undervaluing; depreciative.
"disciplinarian": Pertaining to discipline. "Displinarian system." Milman.
1. One who disciplines; one who excels in training, especially with training, especially with regard to order and obedience; one who enforces rigid discipline; a stickler for the observance of rules and methods of training; as, he is a better disciplinarian than scholar. 2. A Puritan or Presbyterian; -- because of rigid adherence to religious or church discipline. [Obs.]
"adherence": 1. The quality or state of adhering. 2. The state of being fixed in attachment; fidelity; steady attachment; adhesion; as, adherence to a party or to opinions. Syn. -- Adherence, Adhesion. These words, which were once freely interchanged, are now almost entirely separated. Adherence is no longer used to denote physical union, but is applied, to mental states or habits; as, a strict adherence to one's duty; close adherence to the argument, etc. Adhesion is now confined chiefly to the physical sense, except in the phrase "To give in one's adhesion to a cause or a party."
Difficulty: 16.88
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17391
Abdul’s
agents
in
South
America,
Asia,
and
Africa
established
contact
with
embezzlers,
torturers,
mandarins,
and
martinets
who’d
supported
fallen
tyrannies.
909
proclivity
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Inclination; propensity; proneness; tendency. "A proclivity to steal." Abp. Bramhall. 2. Readiness; facility; aptitude. He had such a dexterous proclivity as his teachers were fain to restrain his forwardness. Sir H. Wotton.
"dexterous": 1. Ready and expert in the use of the body and limbs; skillful and active with the hands; handy; ready; as, a dexterous hand; a dexterous workman. 2. Skillful in contrivance; quick at inventing expedients; expert; as, a dexterous manager. Dexterous the craving, fawning crowd to quit. Pope. 3. Done with dexterity; skillful; artful; as, dexterous management. "Dexterous sleights of hand." Trench. Syn. -- Adroit; active; expert; skillful; clever; able; ready; apt; handy; versed.
"proneness": 1. The quality or state of being prone, or of bending downward; as, the proneness of beasts is opposed to the erectness of man. 2. The state of lying with the face down; -- opposed to supineness. 3. Descent; declivity; as, the proneness of a hill. 4. Inclination of mind, heart, or temper; propension; disposition; as, proneness to self-gratification.
"forwardness": The quality of being forward; cheerful readiness; promtness; as, the forwardness of Christians in propagating the gospel. 2. An advanced stage of progress or of preparation; advancement; as, his measures were in great forwardness. Robertson. 3. Eagerness; ardor; as, it is difficult to restrain the forwardness of youth. 3. Boldness; confidence; assurance; want of due reserve or modesty. In France it is usual to bring children into company, and cherish in them, from their infancy, a kind of forwardness and assurance. Addison. 5. A state of advance beyond the usual degree; prematureness; precocity; as, the forwardnessof spring or of corn; the forwardness of a pupil. He had such a dexterous proclivity, as his teachers were fain to restrain his forwardness. Sir H. Wotton. Syn. -- Promptness; promptitude; eagerness; ardor; zeal; assurance; confidence; boldness; impudence; presumption.
Difficulty: 16.88
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18395
The
new
group
took
its
more
erratic
tone
from
Didier,
who
combined
the
expressive
mordancy
of
his
sarcasm
with
a
proclivity
for
the
vulgar,
the
obscene,
and
the
scatological.
910
frostbitten
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.88
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23734
My
skin
was
tight
on
my
face,
drawn
back
by
the
muscles
of
my
neck
and
jaw,
those
muscles
in
turn
pulled
taut
by
the
shoulders
and
arms
and
frostbitten
hands,
clutching
the
final
agony
of
the
gun.
911
kaisa
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.88
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24164
‘Hamara
beta
Khaled,
kaisa
hain?’
How
is
our
son,
Khaled?
912
daunted
prev
next
Definition (daunt)
Definition (daunt)
1. To overcome; to conquer. [Obs.] 2. To repress or subdue the courage of; to check by fear of danger; to cow; to intimidate; to dishearten. Some presences daunt and discourage us. Glanvill. Syn. -- To dismay; appall. See Dismay.
"appall": 1. To make pale; to blanch. [Obs.] The answer that ye made to me, my dear, . . . Hath so appalled my countenance. Wyatt. 2. To weaken; to enfeeble; to reduce; as, an old appalled wight. [Obs.] Chaucer. Whine, of its own nature, will not congeal and freeze, only it will lose the strength, and become appalled in extremity of cold. Holland. 3. To depress or discourage with fear; to impress with fear in such a manner that the mind shrinks, or loses its firmness; to overcome with sudden terror or horror; to dismay; as, the sight appalled the stoutest heart. The house of peers was somewhat appalled at this alarum. Clarendon. Syn. -- To dismay; terrify; daunt; frighten; affright; scare; depress. See Dismay.
1. To grow faint; to become weak; to become dismayed or discouraged. [Obs.] Gower. 2. To lose flavor or become stale. [Obs.]
Terror; dismay. [Poet.] Cowper.
"dishearten": To discourage; to deprive of courage and hope; to depress the spirits of; to deject. Regiments . . . utterly disorganized and disheartened. Macaulay. Syn. -- To dispirit; discourage; depress; deject; deter; terrify.
Difficulty: 16.87
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9753
‘Well,
I’ll
be
happy
to
try,’
I
stammered,
bewildered
by
the
request,
but
not
daunted
by
it.
913
decibel
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.87
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 25046
‘I
think
Ghani
did
try
to
warn
Khaderbhai
what
was
in
his
heart,’
Salman
said
thoughtfully,
his
voice
clear
and
his
English
rounded
to
the
nearest
decibel
point.
914
churlishness
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Rudeness of manners or temper; lack of kindness or courtesy.
Difficulty: 16.86
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1214
The
churlishness
of
Leopold’s
waiters
was
legendary.
915
overhangs
prev
next
Definition (overhang)
Definition (overhang)
1. To impend or hang over. [R.] Beau. & Fl. 2. To hang over; to jut or project over. Pope.
To jut over. Milton.
1. In a general sense, that which just out or projects; a projection; also, the measure of the projection; as, the overhang is five feet. 2. Specifically: The projection of an upper part (as a roof, an upper story, or other part) of a building beyond the lower part; as, the overhang of a roof, of the eaves, etc. 3. (Naut.) The portion of the bow or stem of a vessel that projects over the water beyond the water line. 4. (Mach.) The projection of a part beyond another part that is directly below it, or beyond a part by which it is supported; as, the overhang of a shaft; i. e., its projection beyond its bearing.
"eaves": 1. (Arch.) The edges or lower borders of the roof of a building, which overhang the walls, and cast off the water that falls on the roof. 2. Brow; ridge. [Obs.] "Eaves of the hill." Wyclif. 3. Eyelids or eyelashes. And closing eaves of wearied eyes. Tennyson. Eaves board (Arch.), an arris fillet, or a thick board with a feather edge, nailed across the rafters at the eaves of a building, to raise the lower course of slates a little, or to receive the lowest course of tiles; -- called also eaves catch and eaves lath. -- Eaves channel, Eaves gutter, Eaves trough. Same as Gutter, 1. -- Eaves molding (Arch.), a molding immediately below the eaves, acting as a cornice or part of a cornice. -- Eaves swallow (Zoöl.). (a) The cliff swallow; -- so called from its habit of building retort-shaped nests of mud under the eaves of buildings. See Cliff swallow, under Cliff. (b) The European swallow.
"jut": 1. To shoot out or forward; to project beyond the main body; as, the jutting part of a building. "In jutting rock and curved shore." Wordsworth. It seems to jut out of the structure of the poem. Sir T. Browne. 2. To butt. [Obs.] "The jutting steer." Mason.
1. That which projects or juts; a projection. 2. A shove; a push. [Obs.] Udall.
"impend": To pay. [Obs.] Fabyan.
To hang over; to be suspended above; to threaten frome near at hand; to menace; to be imminent. See Imminent. Destruction sure o'er all your heads impends. Pope.
Difficulty: 16.86
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7724
The
narrow
lanes,
obscured
by
ragged
overhangs,
were
only
partially
visible
and
seemed
more
like
tunnels
than
streets.
916
obliteration
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The act of obliterating, or the state of being obliterated; extinction. Sir. M. Hale.
Difficulty: 16.86
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7939
Somehow,
the
soundlessness
of
that
methodical,
scouring
obliteration
struck
at
us
all.
917
greedily
prev
next
Definition
Definition
, adv. In a greedy manner.
Difficulty: 16.86
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8456
‘It
is
also
a
language
of
love
and
money,’
she
chuckled
greedily.
918
churlish
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Like a churl; rude; cross-grained; ungracious; surly; illiberal; niggardly. "Churlish benefits." Ld. Burleigh. Half mankind maintain a churlish strife. Cowper. 2. Wanting pliancy; unmanageable; unyielding; not easily wrought; as, a churlish soil; the churlish and intractable nature of some minerals. Boyle.
"ungracious": 1. Not gracious; showing no grace or kindness; being without good will; unfeeling. Shak. 2. Having no grace; graceless; wicked. [Obs.] Shak. 3. Not well received; offensive; unpleasing; unacceptable; not favored. Anything of grace toward the Irish rebels was as ungracious at Oxford as at London. Clarendon. -- Un*gra"cious*ly, adv. -- Un*gra"cious*ness, n.
"illiberal": 1. Not liberal; not free or generous; close; niggardly; mean; sordid. "A thrifty and illiberal hand." Mason. 2. Indicating a lack of breeding, culture, and the like; ignoble; rude; narrow-minded; disingenuous. 3. Not well authorized or elegant; as, illiberal words in Latin. [R.] Chesterfield.
"niggardly": Meanly covetous or avarcious in dealing with others; stingy; niggard. Where the owner of the house will be bountiful, it is not for the steward to be niggardly. Bp. Hall. Syn. -- Avarcious; covetous; parsimonious; sparing; miserly; penurios; sordid; stingy. See Avaricious.
In a niggard manner.
"churl": 1. A rustic; a countryman or laborer. "A peasant or churl." Spenser. Your rank is all reversed; let men of cloth Bow to the stalwart churls in overalls. Emerson. 2. A rough, surly, ill-bred man; a boor. A churl's courtesy rarely comes, but either for gain or falsehood. Sir P. Sidney. 3. A selfish miser; an illiberal person; a niggard. Like to some rich churl hoarding up his pelf. Drayton.
Churlish; rough; selfish. [Obs.] Ford.
"pliancy": The quality or state of being pliant in sense; as, the pliancy of a rod. "Avaunt all specious pliancy of mind." Wordsworth.
"intractable": Not tractable; not easily governed, managed, or directed; indisposed to be taught, disciplined, or tamed; violent; stubborn; obstinate; refractory; as, an intractable child. Syn. -- Stubborn; perverse; obstinate; refractory; cross; unmanageable; unruly; headstrong; violent; ungovernable; unteachable. -- In*tract"a*ble*ness, n. -- In*tract"a*bly, adv.
Difficulty: 16.86
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 10407
Tariq
had
said
nothing
on
the
walk,
and
I,
burdened
by
worry
about
how
to
cope
with
him
and
the
responsibility
for
his
welfare—burdened
by
the
boy
himself,
it
seemed
to
me
then—kept
a
churlish
silence.
919
meander
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. A winding, crooked, or involved course; as, the meanders of the veins and arteries. Sir M. Hale. While lingering rivers in meanders glide. Sir R. Blackmore. 2. A tortuous or intricate movement. 3. (Arch.) Fretwork. See Fret.
To wind, turn, or twist; to make flexuous. Dryton.
To wind or turn in a course or passage; to be intricate. Five miles meandering with a mazy motion Through wood and dale the sacred river ran. Coleridge.
"mazy": Perplexed with turns and windings; winding; intricate; confusing; perplexing; embarrassing; as, mazy error. Milton. To range amid the mazy thicket. Spenser. To run the ring, and trace the mazy round. Dryden.
"fretwork": Work adorned with frets; ornamental openwork or work in relief, esp. when elaborate and minute in its parts. Heuce, any minute play of light andshade, dark and light, or the like. Banqueting on the turf in the fretwork of shade and sunshine. Macaulay.
"flexuous": 1. Having turns, windings, or flexures. 2. (Bot.) Having alternate curvatures in opposite directions; bent in a zigzag manner. 3. Wavering; not steady; flickering. Bacon.
"tortuous": 1. Bent in different directions; wreathed; twisted; winding; as, a tortuous train; a tortuous train; a tortuous leaf or corolla. The badger made his dark and tortuous hole on the side of every hill where the copsewood grew thick. Macaulay. 2. Fig.: Deviating from rectitude; indirect; erroneous; deceitful. That course became somewhat lesstortuous, when the battle of the Boyne had cowed the spirit of the Jakobites. Macaulay. 3. Injurious: tortious. [Obs.] 4. (Astrol.) Oblique; -- applied to the six signs of the zodiac (from Capricorn to Gemini) which ascend most rapidly and obliquely. [Obs.] Skeat. Infortunate ascendent tortuous. Chaucer. --Tor"tu*ous*ly, adv. -- Tor"tu*ous*ness, n.
Difficulty: 16.86
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 10415
I
came
home
late
at
night
so
often
that
I’d
learned
how
to
negotiate
the
eccentric
meander
of
that
clean
path
without
stumbling
or
tripping
on
the
edges
of
the
many
large
potholes
that
no-one
ever
seemed
inclined
to
repair.
920
riven
prev
next
Definition
Definition
p. p. & a. from Rive.
"rive": To rend asunder by force; to split; to cleave; as, to rive timber for rails or shingles. I shall ryve him through the sides twain. Chaucer. The scolding winds have rived the knotty oaks. Shak. Brutus hath rived my heart. Shak.
To be split or rent asunder. Freestone rives, splits, and breaks in any direction. Woodward.
A place torn; a rent; a rift. [Prov. Eng.]
Difficulty: 16.86
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23185
The
skin
on
my
face
was
wooden,
and
as
riven
with
cracks
as
the
feet
of
the
farmers
in
Prabaker’s
village.
921
rived
prev
next
Definition (rive)
Definition (rive)
To rend asunder by force; to split; to cleave; as, to rive timber for rails or shingles. I shall ryve him through the sides twain. Chaucer. The scolding winds have rived the knotty oaks. Shak. Brutus hath rived my heart. Shak.
To be split or rent asunder. Freestone rives, splits, and breaks in any direction. Woodward.
A place torn; a rent; a rift. [Prov. Eng.]
"freestone": A stone composed of sand or grit; -- so called because it is easily cut or wrought.
Having the flesh readily separating from the stone, as in certain kinds of peaches.
"rend": 1. To separate into parts with force or sudden violence; to tear asunder; to split; to burst; as, powder rends a rock in blasting; lightning rends an oak. The dreadful thunder Doth rend the region. Shak. 2. To part or tear off forcibly; to take away by force. An empire from its old foundations rent. Dryden. I will surely rend the kingdom from thee. 1 Kings xi. 11. To rap and rend. See under Rap, v. t., to snatch. Syn. -- To tear; burst; break; rupture; lacerate; fracture; crack; split.
To be rent or torn; to become parted; to sepparate; to split. Jer. Taylor.
"knotty": 1. Full of knots; knotted; having many knots; as, knotty timber; a knotty rope. 2. Hard; rugged; as, a knotty head.[R.] Rewe. 3. Difficult; intricate; perplexed. A knotty point to which we now proceed Pope.
Difficulty: 16.86
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23826
Unfortunately,
I
turned
the
burst
eardrum
to
the
ground,
and
the
violence
of
the
blow
rived
the
wound
even
further.
922
phonetic
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Of or pertaining to the voice, or its use. 2. Representing sounds; as, phonetic characters; -- opposed to ideographic; as, a phonetic notation. Phonetic spelling, spelling in phonetic characters, each representing one sound only; -- contrasted with Romanic spelling, or that by the use of the Roman alphabet.
"ideographic": Of or pertaining to an ideogram; representing ideas by symbols, independently of sounds; as, 9 represents not the word "nine," but the idea of the number itself. -- I`de*o*graph"ic*al*ly, adv.
"romanic": 1. Of or pertaining to Rome or its people. 2. Of or pertaining to any or all of the various languages which, during the Middle Ages, sprung out of the old Roman, or popular form of Latin, as the Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Provencal, etc. 3. Related to the Roman people by descent; -- said especially of races and nations speaking any of the Romanic tongues. Romanic spelling, spelling by means of the letters of the Roman alphabet, as in English; -- contrasted with phonetic spelling.
Difficulty: 16.85
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4090
At
the
time,
I
was
working
on
my
own
small
reference
dictionary
of
the
Marathi
language,
based
on
phonetic
spellings
of
the
words
I
heard
every
day
in
the
village.
923
wheedled
prev
next
Definition (wheedle)
Definition (wheedle)
1. To entice by soft words; to cajole; to flatter; to coax. The unlucky art of wheedling fools. Dryden. And wheedle a world that loves him not. Tennyson. 2. To grain, or get away, by flattery. A deed of settlement of the best part of her estate, which I wheedled out of her. Congreve.
To flatter; to coax; to cajole.
"cajole": To deceive with flattery or fair words; to wheedle. I am not about to cajole or flatter you into a reception of my views. F. W. Robertson. Syn. -- To flatter; wheedle; delude; coax; entrap.
Difficulty: 16.85
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7072
‘Oh,
pleeeeeeese,’
Prabaker
wheedled.
924
muzzled
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.85
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9551
The
huge
muzzled
bear
was
chained
at
his
neck
and
on
his
paws,
and
the
chains
passed
through
a
metal
grille
at
one
of
the
windows.
925
hurtle
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. To meet with violence or shock; to clash; to jostle. Together hurtled both their steeds. Fairfax. 2. To move rapidly; to wheel or rush suddenly or with violence; to whirl round rapidly; to skirmish. Now hurtling round, advantage for to take. Spenser. Down the hurtling cataract of the ages. R. L. Stevenson. 3. To make a threatening sound, like the clash of arms; to make a sound as of confused clashing or confusion; to resound. The noise of battle hurtled in the air. Shak. The earthquake sound Hurtling 'death the solid ground. Mrs. Browning.
1. To move with violence or impetuosity; to whirl; to brandish. [Obs.] His harmful club he gan to hurtle high. Spenser. 2. To push; to jostle; to hurl. And he hurtleth with his horse adown. Chaucer.
"brandish": 1. To move or wave, as a weapon; to raise and move in various directions; to shake or flourish. The quivering lance which he brandished bright. Drake. 2. To play with; to flourish; as, to brandish syllogisms.
A flourish, as with a weapon, whip, etc. "Brandishes of the fan." Tailer.
"cataract": 1. A great fall of water over a precipice; a large waterfall. 2. (Surg.) An opacity of the crystalline lens, or of its capsule, which prevents the passage of the rays of light and impairs or destroys the sight. 3. (Mach.) A kind of hydraulic brake for regulating the action of pumping engines and other machines; -- sometimes called dashpot.
"resound": 1. To sound loudly; as, his voice resounded far. 2. To be filled with sound; to ring; as, the woods resound with song. 3. To be echoed; to be sent back, as sound. "Common fame . . . resounds back to them again." South. 4. To be mentioned much and loudly. Milton. 5. To echo or reverberate; to be resonant; as, the earth resounded with his praise.
1. To throw back, or return, the sound of; to echo; to reverberate. Albion's cliffs resound the rurPope. 2. To praise or celebrate with the voice, or the sound of instruments; to extol with sounds; to spread the fame of. The man for wisdom's various arts renowned, Long exercised in woes, O muse, resound. Pope. Syn. -- To echo; reëcho; reverberate; sound.
Return of sound; echo. Beaumont.
"adown": From a higher to a lower situation; downward; down, to or on the ground. [Archaic] "Thrice did she sink adown." Spenser.
Down. [Archaic & Poetic] Her hair adown her shoulders loosely lay displayed. Prior.
"jostle": To run against and shake; to push out of the way; to elbow; to hustle; to disturb by crowding; to crowd against. "Bullies jostled him." Macaulay. Systems of movement, physical, intellectual, and moral, which are perpetually jostling each other. I. Taylor.
To push; to crowd; to hustle. None jostle with him for the wall. Lamb.
A conflict by collisions; a crowding or bumping together; interference. The jostle of South African nationalities and civilization. The Nation.
"impetuosity": 1. The condition or quality of being impetuous; fury; violence. 2. Vehemence, or furiousnes of temper. Shak.
Difficulty: 16.85
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20301
Closely
following
Vikram’s
lead,
I
flew
at
steep
inclines
and
conquered
them
to
plummet
over
the
summit,
and
hurtle
downward
into
curving
loops
of
wind
and
scattered
shrubs.
926
profusion
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The act of one who is profuse; a lavishing or pouring out without sting. Thy vast profusion to the factious nobles Rowe. 2. Abundance; exuberant plenty; lavish supply; as, a profusion of commodities. Addison.
"factious": 1. Given to faction; addicted to form parties and raise dissensions, in opposition to government or the common good; turbulent; seditious; prone to clamor against public measures or men; -- said of persons. Factious for the house of Lancaster. Shak. 2. Pertaining to faction; proceeding from faction; indicating, or characterized by, faction; -- said of acts or expressions; as, factious quarrels. Headlong zeal or factious fury. Burke. -- Fac"tious*ly, adv. -- Fac"tious-ness, n.
"profuse": 1. Pouring forth with fullness or exuberance; bountiful; exceedingly liberal; giving without stint; as, a profuse government; profuse hospitality. A green, shady bank, profuse of flowers. Milton. 2. Superabundant; excessive; prodigal; lavish; as, profuse expenditure. "Profuse ornament." Kames. Syn. -- Lavish; exuberant; bountiful; prodigal; extravagant. -- Profuse, Lavish, Prodigal. Profuse denotes pouring out (as money, etc.) with great fullness or freeness; as, profuse in his expenditures, thanks, promises, etc. Lavish is stronger, implying unnecessary or wasteful excess; as, lavish of his bounties, favors, praises, etc. Prodigal is stronger still, denoting unmeasured or reckless profusion; as, prodigal of one's strength, life, or blood, to secure some object. Dryden.
To pour out; to give or spend liberally; to lavish; to squander. [Obs.] Chapman.
Difficulty: 16.85
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27311
Sections
of
the
sculpted
and
moulded
forms—heads
and
limbs
and
bodies
with
gorgeously
rounded
bellies—rested
on
the
floor
of
the
hut
amid
a
venerable
profusion
of
plaques,
reliefs,
statues,
and
other
pieces.
927
whirr
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.84
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2272
Traffic
noise
faded,
ceased,
and
was
replaced
by
street
sound—a
class
of
children
reciting
verses
from
the
Koran
in
a
little
courtyard;
the
whirr
and
scrape
of
stone
on
stone,
as
women
ground
spices
in
doorways;
and
the
whining
optimism
of
cries
from
knife
sharpeners,
mattress-fluffers,
stove
repairers,
and
other
hawkers.
928
precipitous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Steep, like a precipice; as, a precipitous cliff or mountain. 2. Headlong; as, precipitous fall. 3. Hasty; rash; quick; sudden; precipitate; as, precipitous attempts. Sir T. Browne. "Marian's low, precipitous `Hush!'" Mrs. Browning. -- Pre*cip"i*tous*ly, adv. -- Pre*cip"i*tous*ness, n.
"precipitate": 1. Overhasty; rash; as, the king was too precipitate in declaring war. Clarendon. 2. Lacking due deliberation or care; hurried; said or done before the time; as, a precipitate measure. "The rapidity of our too precipitate course." Landor. 3. Falling, flowing, or rushing, with steep descent; headlong. Precipitate the furious torrent flows. Prior. 4. Ending quickly in death; brief and fatal; as, a precipitate case of disease. [Obs.] Arbuthnot.
An insoluble substance separated from a solution in a concrete state by the action of some reagent added to the solution, or of some force, such as heat or cold. The precipitate may fall to the bottom (whence the name), may be diffused through the solution, or may float at or near the surface. Red precipitate (Old. Chem), mercuric oxide (HgO) a heavy red crystalline powder obtained by heating mercuric nitrate, or by heating mercury in the air. Prepared in the latter manner, it was the precipitate per se of the alchemists. -- White precipitate (Old Chem.) (a) A heavy white amorphous powder (NH2.HgCl) obtained by adding ammonia to a solution of mercuric chloride or corrosive sublimate; -- formerly called also infusible white precipitate, and now amido-mercuric chloride. (b) A white crystalline substance obtained by adding a solution of corrosive sublimate to a solution of sal ammoniac (ammonium chloride); -- formerly called also fusible white precipitate.
1. To throw headlong; to cast down from a precipice or height. She and her horse had been precipitated to the pebbled region of the river. W. Irving. 2. To urge or press on with eager haste or violence; to cause to happen, or come to a crisis, suddenly or too soon; as, precipitate a journey, or a conflict. Back to his sight precipitates her steps. Glover. If they be daring, it may precipitate their designs, and prove dangerous. Bacon. 3. (Chem.) To separate from a solution, or other medium, in the form of a precipitate; as, water precipitates camphor when in solution with alcohol. The light vapor of the preceding evening had been precipitated by the cold. W. Irving.
1. To dash or fall headlong. [R.] So many fathom down precipitating. Shak. 2. To hasten without preparation. [R.] 3. (Chem.) To separate from a solution as a precipitate. See Precipitate, n.
Difficulty: 16.84
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3366
Given
the
narrow
road,
the
precipitous
fall
on
the
low
side,
the
frequent
columns
of
people
and
animals
that
lined
the
high
side,
the
titanic
mass
of
our
swaying
ark
of
a
bus,
and
the
vertiginous
hostility
with
which
the
driver
negotiated
every
curve,
the
speed
was
sufficient
to
relieve
me
of
the
need
to
sleep
or
relax
on
the
ride.
929
sheepish
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Of or pertaining to sheep. [Obs.] 2. Like a sheep; bashful; over-modest; meanly or foolishly diffident; timorous to excess. Wanting change of company, he will, when he comes abroad, be a sheepish or conceited creature. Locke. -- Sheep"ish*ly, adv. -- Sheep"ish*ness, n.
"timorous": 1. Fearful of danger; timid; deficient in courage. Shak. 2. Indicating, or caused by, fear; as, timorous doubts. "The timorous apostasy of chuchmen." Milman. -- Tim"or*ous*ly, adv. -- Tim"or*ous*ness, n.
"diffident": 1. Wanting confidence in others; distrustful. [Archaic] You were always extremely diffident of their success. Melmoth. 2. Wanting confidence in one's self; distrustful of one's own powers; not self-reliant; timid; modest; bashful; characterized by modest reserve. The diffident maidens, Folding their hands in prayer. Longfellow. Syn. -- Distrustful; suspicious; hesitating; doubtful; modest; bashful; lowly; reserved.
"meanly": Moderately. [Obs.] A man meanly learned himself, but not meanly affectioned to set forward learning in others. Ascham.
In a mean manner; unworthily; basely; poorly; ungenerously. While the heaven-born child All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies. Milton. Would you meanly thus rely On power you know I must obey Prior. We can not bear to have others think meanly of them [our kindred]. I. Watts.
Difficulty: 16.84
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9335
The
sheepish,
trusting
smile
that
the
young
man
offered
me
was
no
help.
930
exaltation
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The act of exalting or raising high; also, the state of being exalted; elevation. Wondering at my flight, and change To this high exaltation. Milton. 2. (Alchem.) The refinement or subtilization of a body, or the increasing of its virtue or principal property. 3. (Astrol.) That place of a planet in the zodiac in which it was supposed to exert its strongest influence.
"subtilization": 1. The act of making subtile. 2. (Old Chem.) The operation of making so volatile as to rise in steam or vapor. 3. Refinement; subtlety; extreme attenuation.
Difficulty: 16.84
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23785
And
I
looked
at
the
men,
the
brave
and
beautiful
men
beside
me,
running
into
the
guns,
and
God
help
me
for
thinking
it,
and
God
forgive
me
for
saying
it,
but
it
was
glorious,
it
was
glorious,
if
glory
is
a
magnificent
and
raptured
exaltation.
931
cretinous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Having the characteristics of a cretin. "Cretinous stupefaction." Ruskin.
"stupefaction": The act of stupefying, or the state of being stupefied. [Written also stupifaction.] Resistance of the dictates of conscience brings a hardness and stupefaction upon it. South.
Difficulty: 16.83
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13024
His
slack-lipped,
cretinous
puzzlement
made
me
laugh
the
harder.
932
wend
prev
next
Definition
Definition
p. p. of Wene. Chaucer.
1. To go; to pass; to betake one's self. "To Canterbury they wend." Chaucer. To Athens shall the lovers wend. Shak. 2. To turn round. [Obs.] Sir W. Raleigh.
To direct; to betake;- used chiefly in the phrase to wend one's way. Also used reflexively. "Great voyages to wend." Surrey.
A large extent of ground; a perambulation; a circuit. [Obs.] Burrill.
"betake": 1. To take or seize. [Obs.] Spenser. 2. To have recourse to; to apply; to resort; to go; -- with a reflexive pronoun. They betook themselves to treaty and submission. Burke. The rest, in imitation, to like arms Betook them. Milton. Whither shall I betake me, where subsist Milton. 3. To commend or intrust to; to commit to. [Obs.]
"perambulation": 1. The act of perambulating; traversing. Bacon. 2. An annual survey of boundaries, as of town, a parish, a forest, etc. 3. A district within which one is authorized to make a tour of inspection. "The . . . bounds of his own perambulation." [Obs.] Holyday.
"wene": To ween. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Difficulty: 16.83
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27886
From
a
low-walled
courtyard
on
the
white
marble
island
of
Haji
Ali
Mosque,
I
watched
pilgrims
and
pious
local
residents
wend
and
weave,
leaving
the
shrine
for
the
shore
along
the
flat
stone
path.
933
soll
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.82
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1272
‘And
don’t
you
have
any
wie
soll
ich
das
sagen,
any
program?
934
fantasising
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.82
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11648
He
was
a
man
she’d
liked,
a
handsome
man
she’d
found
herself
fantasising
about
from
time
to
time.
935
riffled
prev
next
Definition (riffle)
Definition (riffle)
A trough or sluice having cleats, grooves, or steps across the bottom for holding quicksilver and catching particles of gold when auriferous earth is washed; also, one of the cleats, grooves, or steps in such a trough. Also called ripple.
"auriferous": Gold-bearing; containing or producing gold. Whence many a bursting stream auriferous plays. Thomson. ~= pyrites, iron pyrites (iron disulphide), containing some gold disseminated through it.
"quicksilver": The metal mercury; -- so called from its resemblance to liquid silver. Quicksilver horizon, a mercurial artificial horizon. See under Horizon. -- Quicksilver water, a solution of mercury nitrate used in artificial silvering; quick water.
Difficulty: 16.82
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12127
A
desultory
breeze
riffled
the
gauze
curtains,
and
I
saw
a
soft
yellow
light,
a
candle,
glowing
within.
936
vehement
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Acting with great force; furious; violent; impetuous; forcible; mighty; as, vehement wind; a vehement torrent; a vehement fire or heat. 2. Very ardent; very eager or urgent; very fervent; passionate; as, a vehement affection or passion. "Vehement instigation." Shak. "Vehement desire." Milton. Syn. -- Furious; violent; raging; impetuous; passionate; ardent; eager; hot; fervid; burning.
"fervid": 1. Very hot; burning; boiling. The mounted sun Shot down direct his fervid rays. Milton. 2. Ardent; vehement; zealous. The fervid wishes, holy fires. Parnell. -- Fer"vid*ly, adv. -- Fer"vid*ness, n.
"forcible": 1. Possessing force; characterized by force, efficiency, or energy; powerful; efficacious; impressive; influential. How forcible are right words! Job. vi. 2 Sweet smells are most forcible in dry substances, when broken. Bacon. But I have reasons strong and forcible. Shak. That punishment which hath been sometimes forcible to bridle sin. Hooker. He is at once elegant and sublime, forcible and ornamented. Lowth (Transl. ) 2. Violent; impetuous. Like mingled streams, more forcible when joined. Prior. 3. Using force against opposition or resistance; obtained by compulsion; effected by force; as, forcible entry or abduction. In embraces of King James . . . forcible and unjust. Swift. Forcible entry and detainer (Law), the entering upon and taking and withholding of land and tenements by actual force and violence, and with a strong hand, to the hindrance of the person having the right to enter. Syn. -- Violent; powerful; strong; energetic; mighty; potent; weighty; impressive; cogent; influential.
"instigation": The act of instigating, or the state of being instigated; incitement; esp. to evil or wickedness. The baseness and villainy that . . . the instigation of the devil could bring the sons of men to. South.
Difficulty: 16.82
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15652
Her
manner
was
so
vehement,
and
the
stand
she
was
taking
so
inflexible
and
unexpected,
that
I
was
too
surprised
to
be
angry.
937
riffle
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A trough or sluice having cleats, grooves, or steps across the bottom for holding quicksilver and catching particles of gold when auriferous earth is washed; also, one of the cleats, grooves, or steps in such a trough. Also called ripple.
"auriferous": Gold-bearing; containing or producing gold. Whence many a bursting stream auriferous plays. Thomson. ~= pyrites, iron pyrites (iron disulphide), containing some gold disseminated through it.
"quicksilver": The metal mercury; -- so called from its resemblance to liquid silver. Quicksilver horizon, a mercurial artificial horizon. See under Horizon. -- Quicksilver water, a solution of mercury nitrate used in artificial silvering; quick water.
Difficulty: 16.82
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 25587
We
were
quiet
for
a
while,
listening
to
the
noises
that
pushed
their
way
into
the
room
with
a
breeze
that
caused
the
curtains
to
riffle,
swell,
and
fall.
938
seinen
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.81
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1238
And
later,
when
I
went
to
the
bathroom
for
a
little
sniff
of
cokes,
I
came
back
to
see
daβ
er
seinen
Schwanz
ganz
tief
in
einer
meiner
Schuhe
hat!
939
undergarment
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.81
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11390
It
was
a
measure
of
their
despondency
and
their
fear
that
dread
had
banished
modesty,
and
they
allowed
the
girl
to
be
examined
in
a
flimsy
undergarment
that
revealed
her
shoulders
and
most
of
one
breast.
940
hatchets
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.81
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21452
There
were
hatchets
and
thick-bladed
knives
and
sewing
kits.
941
mela
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.81
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27256
‘I
myself
was
in
the
mela
at
Chowpatty.
942
wonderment
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Surprise; astonishment; a wonderful appearance; a wonder. Bacon. All the common sights they view, Their wonderment engage. Sir W. Scott.
Difficulty: 16.80
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3669
Prabaker
was
at
my
side,
and
although
he
smiled
and
enjoyed
the
celebrity
that
the
moment
gave
him,
he
too
was
awed
by
the
press
of
attention
and
the
surrounding
wall
of
wonderment
and
expectation.
943
hallucinatory
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Partaking of, or tending to produce, hallucination.
Difficulty: 16.80
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8882
It
was
so
potent,
and
came
with
such
force
from
the
water-pipe,
that
almost
at
once
my
bloodshot
eyes
failed
in
focus
and
I
experienced
a
mild,
hallucinatory
effect:
the
blurring
at
the
edges
of
other
people’s
faces,
and
a
minuscule
time-delay
in
their
movements.
944
blest
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Blessed. "This patriarch blest." Milton. White these blest sounds my ravished ear assail. Trumbull.
"assail": 1. To attack with violence, or in a vehement and hostile manner; to assault; to molest; as, to assail a man with blows; to assail a city with artillery. No rude noise mine ears assailing. Cowper. No storm can now assail The charm he wears within. Keble. 2. To encounter or meet purposely with the view of mastering, as an obstacle, difficulty, or the like. The thorny wilds the woodmen fierce assail. Pope. 3. To attack morally, or with a view to produce changes in the feelings, character, conduct, existing usages, institutions; to attack by words, hostile influence, etc.; as, to assail one with appeals, arguments, abuse, ridicule, and the like. The papal authority . . . assailed. Hallam. They assailed him with keen invective; they assailed him with still keener irony. Macaulay. Syn. -- To attack; assault; invade; encounter; fall upon. See Attack.
Difficulty: 16.80
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 10948
A
few
minutes
later,
I
passed
the
World
Trade
Centre
and
entered
the
compound
of
the
slum,
remembering,
as
I
always
did,
the
first
time
I
entered
those
blest
and
tormented
acres.
945
colloquial
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Pertaining to, or used in, conversation, esp. common and familiar conversation; conversational; hence, unstudied; informal; as, colloquial intercourse; colloquial phrases; a colloquial style. -- Col*lo"qui*al*ly, adv. His [Johnson's] colloquial talents were, indeed, of the highest order. Macaulay.
"unstudied": 1. Not studied; not acquired by study; unlabored; natural. 2. Not skilled; unversed; -- followed by in. 3. Not spent in study. [Obs.] "To cloak the defects of their unstudied years." Milton.
Difficulty: 16.80
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13368
Finally,
I
asked
him
in
rough,
colloquial
Hindi
if
he
had
any
Indian
movie
songs
in
his
cab.
946
disquietingly
prev
next
Definition (disquiet)
Definition (disquiet)
Deprived of quiet; impatient; restless; uneasy. [R.] Shak.
Want of quiet; want of tranquility in body or mind; uneasiness; restlessness; disturbance; anxiety. Swift.
To render unquiet; to deprive of peace, rest, or tranquility; to make uneasy or restless; to disturb. Why art thou cast down, O my soul, and why art thou disquieted within me Ps. xlii. 11. As quiet as these disquieted times will permit. Sir W. Scott. Syn. -- To harass; disturb; vex; fret; excite; agitate.
"unquiet": To disquiet. [Obs.] Ld. Herbert.
Not quiet; restless; uneasy; agitated; disturbed. -- Un*qui"et*ly, adv. -- Un*qui"et*ness, n.
"uneasiness": 1. The quality or state of being uneasy; restlessness; disquietude; anxiety. 2. The quality of making uneasy; discomfort; as, the uneasiness of the road. [Obs.] Bp. Burnet.
Difficulty: 16.80
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 14056
That
action
sprayed,
through
what
appeared
to
be
a
valve
in
the
navel
of
the
goddess,
a
potent
and
disquietingly
industrial
mix
of
chemical
perfumes
onto
the
shirt
and
trousers
of
his
passenger.
947
ghat
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. A pass through a mountain. [India] J. D. Hooker. 2. A range of mountains. Balfour (Cyc. of Ind. ). 3. Stairs descending to a river; a landing place; a wharf. [India] Malcom.
Difficulty: 16.80
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 19408
I
joined
the
others
to
carry
Prabaker’s
body
to
the
ghat,
the
burning
place.
948
stilted
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Elevated as if on stilts; hence, pompous; bombastic; as, a stilted style; stilted declamation. Stilted arch (Arch.), an arch in which the springing line is some distance above the impost, the space between being occupied by a vertical member, molded or ornamented, as a continuation of the archivolt, intrados, etc.
"bombastic": Characterized by bombast; highsounding; inflated. -- Bom*bas"tic*al*ly, adv. A theatrical, bombastic, windy phraseology. Burke. Syn. -- Turgid; tumid; pompous; grandiloquent.
"impost": 1. That which is imposed or levied; a tax, tribute, or duty; especially, a duty or tax laid by goverment on goods imported into a country. Even the ship money . . . Johnson could not pronounce to have been an unconstitutional impost. Macaulay. 2. (Arch.) The top member of a pillar, pier, wall, etc., upon which the weight of an arch rests. Note: The impost is called continuous, if the moldings of the arch or architrave run down the jamb or pier without a break. Syn. -- Tribute; excise; custom; duty; tax.
"declamation": 1. The act or art of declaiming; rhetorical delivery; haranguing; loud speaking in public; especially, the public recitation of speeches as an exercise in schools and colleges; as, the practice declamation by students. The public listened with little emotion, but with much civility, to five acts of monotonous declamation. Macaulay. 2. A set or harangue; declamatory discourse. 3. Pretentious rhetorical display, with more sound than sense; as, mere declamation.
"intrados": The interior curve of an arch; esp., the inner or lower curved face of the whole body of voussoirs taken together. See Extrados.
"archivolt": (a) The architectural member surrounding the curved opening of an arch, corresponding to the architrave in the case of a square opening. (b) More commonly, the molding or other ornaments with which the wall face of the voussoirs of an arch is charged.
Difficulty: 16.79
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2218
It
was,
instead,
the
too-sudden
collapse
of
my
stilted
complacencies.
949
pilferers
prev
next
Definition (pilfer)
Definition (pilfer)
To steal in small quantities, or articles of small value; to practice petty theft.
To take by petty theft; to filch; to steal little by little. And not a year but pilfers as he goes Some youthful grace that age would gladly keep. Cowper.
"filch": To steal or take privily (commonly, that which is of little value); to pilfer. Fain would they filch that little food away. Dryden. But he that filches from me my good name, Robs me of that which not enriches him, And makes me poor indeed. Shak.
Difficulty: 16.79
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6531
One
notable
expedition
by
the
tiny
pilferers
produced
a
huge
tarpaulin
that,
from
its
shape,
had
clearly
been
the
camouflage
cover
for
a
battle
tank.
950
pilferer
prev
next
Definition
Definition
One who pilfers; a petty thief.
Difficulty: 16.79
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7177
With
no
locks
on
any
of
the
doors,
and
no
secret
places
for
any
of
us
to
hide
things,
the
monkeys
were
in
a
pilferer’s
paradise.
951
pilfer
prev
next
Definition
Definition
To steal in small quantities, or articles of small value; to practice petty theft.
To take by petty theft; to filch; to steal little by little. And not a year but pilfers as he goes Some youthful grace that age would gladly keep. Cowper.
"filch": To steal or take privily (commonly, that which is of little value); to pilfer. Fain would they filch that little food away. Dryden. But he that filches from me my good name, Robs me of that which not enriches him, And makes me poor indeed. Shak.
Difficulty: 16.79
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11016
Kumar,
the
chai
shop
owner,
fought
a
running
guerrilla
war
with
his
customers,
who
tried
to
pilfer
his
bricks
and
planks
for
their
own
houses.
952
onerous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Burdensome; oppressive. "Too onerous a solicitude." I. Taylor. Onerous cause (Scots Law), a good and legal consideration; -- opposed to gratuitous.
"solicitude": The state of being solicitous; uneasiness of mind occasioned by fear of evil or desire good; anxiety. The many cares and great labors of worldly men, their solicitude and outward shows. Sir W. Raleigh. The mother looked at her with fond solicitude. G. W. Cable. Syn. -- Carefulness; concern; anxiety. See Care.
"burdensome": Grievous to be borne; causing uneasiness or fatigue; oppressive. The debt immense of endless gratitude So burdensome. Milton. Syn. -- Heavy; weighty; cumbersome; onerous; grievous; oppressive; troublesome. -- Bur"den*some*ly, adv. -- Bur"den*some*ness, n.
Difficulty: 16.79
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11494
They
were
all
huge
undertakings
and
onerous
responsibilities,
but
no
man
or
woman
at
the
gathering
hesitated
in
accepting
them.
953
fount
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A font.
A fountain.
Difficulty: 16.79
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20663
He
excused
himself,
and
walked
to
the
bathing
fount.
954
naya
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.78
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9250
‘Hospital
naya!’
Ameer
whined.
955
dirhams
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.78
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13658
The
black
marketeers
were
happy
because
a
steady
stream
of
dollars,
Deutschmarks,
riyals,
and
dirhams
flowed
into
the
river
of
demand
created
by
Indian
business
travellers.
956
confections
prev
next
Definition (confection)
Definition (confection)
1. A composition of different materials. [Obs.] A new confection of mold. Bacon. 2. A preparation of fruits or roots, etc., with sugar; a sweetmeat. Certain confections . . . are like to candied conserves, and are made of sugar and lemons. Bacon. 3. A composition of drugs. Shak. 4. (Med.) A soft solid made by incorporating a medicinal substance or substances with sugar, sirup, or honey. Note: The pharmacopoeias formerly made a distinction between conserves (made of fresh vegetable substances and sugar) and electuaries (medicinal substances combined with sirup or honey), but the distinction is now abandoned and all are called confections.
"sirup": 1. A thick and viscid liquid made from the juice of fruits, herbs, etc., boiled with sugar. 2. A thick and viscid saccharine solution of superior quality (as sugarhouse sirup or molasses, maple sirup); specifically, in pharmacy and often in cookery, a saturated solution of sugar and water (simple sirup), or such a solution flavored or medicated. Lucent sirups tinct with cinnamon. Keats. Mixing sirup. See the Note under Dextrose.
"sweetmeat": 1. Fruit preserved with sugar, as peaches, pears, melons, nuts, orange peel, etc.; -- usually in the plural; a confect; a confection. 2. The paint used in making patent leather. 3. (Zoöl.) A boat shell (Crepidula fornicata) of the American coast. [Local, U.S.]
Difficulty: 16.78
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20494
The
Firni
House
in
Bombay’s
Dongri
area,
near
Khaderbhai’s
house,
was
justly
famous
for
its
delicious
faloodah
drinks,
but
they
were
insipid
when
compared
to
the
fabulous
confections
served
at
Karachi’s
Faloodah
House.
957
winsomely
prev
next
Definition (winsome)
Definition (winsome)
1. Cheerful; merry; gay; light-hearted. Misled by ill example, and a winsome nature. Jeffrey. 2. Causing joy or pleasure; gladsome; pleasant. Still plotting how their hungry ear That winsome voice again might hear. Emerson.
"gladsome": 1. Pleased; joyful; cheerful. 2. Causing joy, pleasure, or cheerfulness; having the appearance of gayety; pleasing. Of opening heaven they sung, and gladsome day. Prior. -- Glad"some*ly, adv. -- Glad"some*ness, n. Hours of perfect gladsomeness. Wordsworth.
Difficulty: 16.77
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1316
‘I
have
a
job,’
Ulla
announced,
pouting
winsomely.
958
cowherd
prev
next
Definition
Definition
One whose occupation is to tend cows.
Difficulty: 16.77
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4098
He
translated
what
he’d
told
me
for
the
crowd,
and
they
pushed
Satish,
a
heavy-set
cowherd,
to
the
front
of
the
group.
959
aboveground
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.77
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12671
The
rectangular
bathing
area,
something
like
an
empty
aboveground
pool
or
a
dry
stone
pond,
had
a
huge
cast-iron
tank
at
one
end.
960
bristled
prev
next
Definition (bristle)
Definition (bristle)
1. A short, stiff, coarse hair, as on the back of swine. 2. (Bot.) A stiff, sharp, roundish hair. Gray.
1. To erect the bristles of; to cause to stand up, as the bristles of an angry hog; -- sometimes with up. Now for the bare-picked bone of majesty Doth dogged war bristle his angry crest. Shak. Boy, bristle thy courage up. Shak. 2. To fix a bristle to; as, to bristle a thread.
1. To rise or stand erect, like bristles. His hair did bristle upon his head. Sir W. Scott. 2. To appear as if covered with bristles; to have standing, thick and erect, like bristles. The hill of La Haye Sainte bristling with ten thousand bayonets. Thackeray. Ports bristling with thousands of masts. Macaulay. 3. To show deflance or indignation. To bristle up, to show anger or deflance.
"roundish": Somewhat round; as, a roundish seed; a roundish figure. -- Round"ish*ness, n.
Difficulty: 16.76
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1106
I
was
simply
making
conversation,
trying
to
keep
her
near
me,
talking
to
me,
and
the
sudden
wariness
that
bristled
in
the
single
word
of
her
question
surprised
me.
961
stonework
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Work or wall consisting of stone; mason's work of stone. Mortimer.
Difficulty: 16.76
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4758
Patches
of
concrete
and
stonework
showed
in
some
places
where
the
old
floors
and
foundations
of
the
original
buildings,
cleared
from
the
site
years
before,
remained
intact.
962
italic
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Relating to Italy or to its people. 2. Applied especially to a kind of type in which the letters do not stand upright, but slope toward the right; -- so called because dedicated to the States of Italy by the inventor, Aldus Manutius, about the year 1500. Italic languages, the group or family of languages of ancient Italy. -- Italic order (Arch.), the composite order. See Composite. -- Italic school, a term given to the Pythagorean and Eleatic philosophers, from the country where their doctrines were first promulgated. -- Italic version. See Itala.
An Italic letter, character, or type (see Italic, a., 2.); -- often in the plural; as, the Italics are the author's. Italic letters are used to distinguish words for emphasis, importance, antithesis, etc. Also, collectively, Italic letters.
"antithesis": 1. (Rhet.) An opposition or contrast of words or sentiments occurring in the same sentence; as, "The prodigal robs his heir; the miser robs himself." "He had covertly shot at Cromwell; he how openly aimed at the Queen." 2. The second of two clauses forming an antithesis. 3. Opposition; contrast.
"eleatic": Of or pertaining to a certain school of Greek philosophers who taught that the only certain science is that which owes nothing to the senses, and all to the reason. -- n. A philosopher of the Eleatic school.
"pythagorean": Of or pertaining to Pythagoras (a Greek philosopher, born about 582 b. c.), or his philosophy. The central thought of the Pythagorean philosophy is the idea of number, the recognition of the numerical and mathematical relations of things. Encyc. Brit. Pythagorean proposition (Geom.), the theorem that the square described upon the hypothenuse of a plane right-angled triangle is equal to the sum of the squares described upon the other two sides. -- Pythagorean system (Astron.), the commonly received system of astronomy, first taught by Pythagoras, and afterward revived by Copernicus, whence it is also called the Copernican system. -- Pythagorean letter. See Y.
A follower of Pythagoras; one of the school of philosophers founded by Pythagoras.
"itala": An early Latin version of the Scriptures (the Old Testament was translated from the Septuagint, and was also called the Italic version).
Difficulty: 16.76
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8173
The
cards
were
made
of
pearl-white,
textured,
linen
paper,
and
the
words
were
embossed
in
liquid
black
italic.
963
ramshackle
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Loose; disjointed; falling to pieces; out of repair. There came . . . my lord the cardinal, in his ramshackle coach. Thackeray.
To search or ransack; to rummage. [Prov. Eng.]
"ransack": 1. To search thoroughly; to search every place or part of; as, to ransack a house. To ransack every corner of their . . . hearts. South. 2. To plunder; to pillage completely. Their vow is made To ransack Troy. Shak. 3. To violate; to ravish; to defiour. [Obs.] Rich spoil of ransacked chastity. Spenser.
To make a thorough search. To ransack in the tas [heap] of bodies dead. Chaucer.
The act of ransacking, or state of being ransacked; pillage. [R.] Even your father's house Shall not be free fromransack. J. Webster.
"disjointed": Separated at the joints; disconnected; incoherent. -- Dis*joint"ed*ly, adv. -- Dis*joint"ed*ness, n.
Difficulty: 16.76
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9193
Prabaker
glanced
along
the
dark
lane
of
ramshackle
huts
to
the
hovering
glow-worm
of
Joseph’s
lamp.
964
bristly
prev
next
Definition
Definition
THick set with bristles, or with hairs resembling bristles; rough. The leaves of the black mulberry are somewhat bristly. Bacon.
Difficulty: 16.76
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9441
He
was
a
tall
man
with
a
prominent
paunch
and
a
large,
expressively
bristly
moustache,
tinged
with
grey.
965
undernourished
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.75
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1221
The
dark,
brooding,
undernourished
young
man
was
Modena,
a
dour
and
taciturn
Spaniard
who
did
black-market
business
with
French,
Italian,
and
African
tourists.
966
skyward
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Toward the sky.
Difficulty: 16.74
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4808
Then,
several
hundred
metres
away,
a
gorgeous
plume
of
orange
flames
erupted
skyward.
967
gladdened
prev
next
Definition (gladden)
Definition (gladden)
To make glad; to cheer; to please; to gratify; to rejoice; to exhilarate. A secret pleasure gladdened all that saw him. Addison.
To be or become glad; to rejoice. The vast Pacific gladdens with the freight. Wordsworth.
"exhilarate": To make merry or jolly; to enliven; to animate; to gladden greatly; to cheer; as, good news exhilarates the mind; wine exhilarates a man.
To become joyous. [R.] Bacon.
"gratify": 1. To please; to give pleasure to; to satisfy; to soothe; to indulge; as, to gratify the taste, the appetite, the senses, the desires, the mind, etc. For who would die to gratify a foe Dryden. 2. To requite; to recompense. [Obs.] It remains . . . To gratify his noble service. Shak. Syn. -- To indulge; humor please; delight; requite; recompense. -- To Gratify, Indulge, Humor. Gratify, is the generic term, and has reference simply to the pleasure communicated. To indulge a person implies that we concede something to his wishes or his weaknesses which he could not claim, and which had better, perhaps, be spared. To humor is to adapt ourselves to the varying moods, and, perhaps, caprices, of others. We gratify a child by showing him the sights of a large city; we indulge him in some extra expense on such an occasion; we humor him when he is tired and exacting.
Difficulty: 16.74
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27331
The
promised
pair
was
still
too
young
to
marry,
but
their
betrothal
gave
them
both
joy,
and
was
a
commitment
to
the
future
that
gladdened
Jeetendra’s
heart.
968
fiefdoms
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.73
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 5470
He
was
also
one
of
the
lords
of
Bombay’s
mafia—one
of
the
founders
of
the
council
system
that
had
divided
Bombay
into
fiefdoms
ruled
by
separate
councils
of
mafia
dons.
969
rigger
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. One who rigs or dresses; one whose occupation is to fit the rigging of a ship. 2. A cylindrical pulley or drum in machinery. [R.]
"cylindrical": Having the form of a cylinder, or of a section of its convex surface; partaking of the properties of the cylinder. Cylindrical lens, a lens having one, or more than one, cylindrical surface. -- Cylindric, or Cylindrical, surface (Geom.), a surface described by a straight line that moves according to any law, but so as to be constantly parallel to a given line. -- Cylindrical vault. (Arch.) See under Vault, n.
Difficulty: 16.73
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7638
He
worked
as
a
rigger
on
the
site.
970
fiefdom
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.73
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17468
It
was
the
personal
fiefdom
of
the
conspicuously
insane
dictator
Mobutu,
and
a
percentage
of
the
profit
from
every
crime
in
the
kingdom
slithered
into
his
pocket.
971
abbreviated
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Shortened; relatively short; abbreviate.
"abbreviate": 1. To make briefer; to shorten; to abridge; to reduce by contraction or omission, especially of words written or spoken. It is one thing to abbreviate by contracting, another by cutting off. Bacon. 2. (Math.) To reduce to lower terms, as a fraction.
1. Abbreviated; abridged; shortened. [R.] "The abbreviate form." Earle. 2. (Biol.) Having one part relatively shorter than another or than the ordinary type.
An abridgment. [Obs.] Elyot.
Difficulty: 16.73
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20336
It
was
abbreviated,
to
be
sure,
but
that
was
because
the
superfluous
had
been
hacked
from
it,
and
what
remained
was
a
pure
and
precise
language
of
his
own—something
more
than
slogans
and
less
than
proverbs.
972
trestles
prev
next
Definition (trestle)
Definition (trestle)
1. A movable frame or support for anything, as scaffolding, consisting of three or four legs secured to a top piece, and forming a sort of stool or horse, used by carpenters, masons, and other workmen; also, a kind of framework of strong posts or piles, and crossbeams, for supporting a bridge, the track of a railway, or the like. 2. The frame of a table. Trestle board, a board used by architects, draughtsmen, and the like, for drawing designs upon; -- so called because commonly supported by trestles. -- Trestle bridge. See under Bridge, n.
"movable": 1. Capable of being moved, lifted, carried, drawn, turned, or conveyed, or in any way made to change place or posture; susceptible of motion; not fixed or stationary; as, a movable steam engine. 2. Changing from one time to another; as, movable feasts, i. e., church festivals, the date of which varies from year to year. Movable letter (Heb. Gram.), a letter that is pronounced, as opposed to one that is quiescent.
1. An article of wares or goods; a commodity; a piece of property not fixed, or not a part of real estate; generally, in the plural, goods; wares; furniture. Furnished with the most rich and princely movables. Evelyn. 2. (Rom. Law) Property not attached to the soil. Note: The word is not convertible with personal property, since rents and similar incidents of the soil which are personal property by our law are immovables by the Roman law. Wharton.
Difficulty: 16.73
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27309
He
worked
at
a
long
table
made
from
thick
builder’s
planks,
lashed
together
and
resting
on
two
carpenter’s
trestles.
973
mynah
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.72
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13092
The
silence
that
followed
his
question
was
suddenly
disturbed
by
the
morning
song
of
mynah
birds.
974
unendurably
prev
next
Definition (endurable)
Definition (endurable)
Capable of being endured or borne; sufferable. Macaulay. -- En*dur"a*ble*ness, n.
"sufferable": 1. Able to suffer or endure; patient. [Obs.] "Ye must be sufferable." Chaucer. 2. That may be suffered, tolerated, or permitted; allowable; tolerable. -- Suf"fer*a*ble*ness, n. -- Suf"fer*a*bly, adv.
Difficulty: 16.72
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24074
We
go
now?—became
unendurably
annoying.
975
conical
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Having the form of, or resembling, a geometrical cone; round and tapering to a point, or gradually lessening in circumference; as, a conic or conical figure; a conical vessel. 2. Of or pertaining to a cone; as, conic sections. Conic section (Geom.), a curved line formed by the intersection of the surface of a right cone and a plane. The conic sections are the parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola. The right lines and the circle which result from certain positions of the plane are sometimes, though not generally included. -- Conic sections, that branch of geometry which treats of the parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola. -- Conical pendulum. See Pendulum. -- Conical projection, a method of delineating the surface of a sphere upon a plane surface as if projected upon the surface of a cone; -- much used by makers of maps in Europe. -- Conical surface (Geom.), a surface described by a right line moving along any curve and always passing through a fixed point that is not in the plane of that curve.
"ellipse": 1. (Geom.) An oval or oblong figure, bounded by a regular curve, which corresponds to an oblique projection of a circle, or an oblique section of a cone through its opposite sides. The greatest diameter of the ellipse is the major axis, and the least diameter is the minor axis. See Conic section, under Conic, and cf. Focus. 2. (Gram.) Omission. See Ellipsis. 3. The elliptical orbit of a planet. The Sun flies forward to his brother Sun; The dark Earth follows wheeled in her ellipse. Tennyson.
"conic": 1. Having the form of, or resembling, a geometrical cone; round and tapering to a point, or gradually lessening in circumference; as, a conic or conical figure; a conical vessel. 2. Of or pertaining to a cone; as, conic sections. Conic section (Geom.), a curved line formed by the intersection of the surface of a right cone and a plane. The conic sections are the parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola. The right lines and the circle which result from certain positions of the plane are sometimes, though not generally included. -- Conic sections, that branch of geometry which treats of the parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola. -- Conical pendulum. See Pendulum. -- Conical projection, a method of delineating the surface of a sphere upon a plane surface as if projected upon the surface of a cone; -- much used by makers of maps in Europe. -- Conical surface (Geom.), a surface described by a right line moving along any curve and always passing through a fixed point that is not in the plane of that curve.
A conic section.
"tapering": Becoming gradually smaller toward one end. -- Ta"per*ing*ly, adv.
"hyperbola": A curve formed by a section of a cone, when the cutting plane makes a greater angle with the base than the side of the cone makes. It is a plane curve such that the difference of the distances from any point of it to two fixed points, called foci, is equal to a given distance. See Focus. If the cutting plane be produced so as to cut the opposite cone, another curve will be formed, which is also an hyperbola. Both curves are regarded as branches of the same hyperbola. See Illust. of Conic section, and Focus.
"geometrical": Pertaining to, or according to the rules or principles of, geometry; determined by geometry; as, a geometrical solution of a problem. Note: Geometric is often used, as opposed to algebraic, to include processes or solutions in which the propositions or principles of geometry are made use of rather than those of algebra. Note: Geometrical is often used in a limited or strictly technical sense, as opposed to mechanical; thus, a construction or solution is geometrical which can be made by ruler and compasses, i. e., by means of right lines and circles. Every construction or solution which requires any other curve, or such motion of a line or circle as would generate any other curve, is not geometrical, but mechanical. By another distinction, a geometrical solution is one obtained by the rules of geometry, or processes of analysis, and hence is exact; while a mechanical solution is one obtained by trial, by actual measurements, with instruments, etc., and is only approximate and empirical. Geometrical curve. Same as Algebraic curve; -- so called because their different points may be constructed by the operations of elementary geometry. -- Geometric lathe, an instrument for engraving bank notes, etc., with complicated patterns of interlacing lines; -- called also cycloidal engine. -- Geometrical pace, a measure of five feet. -- Geometric pen, an instrument for drawing geometric curves, in which the movements of a pen or pencil attached to a revolving arm of ajustable length may be indefinitely varied by changing the toothed wheels which give motion to the arm. -- Geometrical plane (Persp.), the same as Ground plane . -- Geometrical progression, proportion, ratio. See under Progression, Proportion and Ratio. -- Geometrical radius, in gearing, the radius of the pitch circle of a cogwheel. Knight. -- Geometric spider (Zoöl.), one of many species of spiders, which spin a geometrical web. They mostly belong to Epeira and allied genera, as the garden spider. See Garden spider. -- Geometric square, a portable instrument in the form of a square frame for ascertaining distances and heights by measuring angles. -- Geometrical staircase, one in which the stairs are supported by the wall at one end only. -- Geometrical tracery, in architecture and decoration, tracery arranged in geometrical figures.
"parabola": (a) A kind of curve; one of the conic sections formed by the intersection of the surface of a cone with a plane parallel to one of its sides. It is a curve, any point of which is equally distant from a fixed point, called the focus, and a fixed straight line, called the directrix. See Focus. (b) One of a group of curves defined by the equation y = axn where n is a positive whole number or a positive fraction. For the cubical parabola n = 3; for the semicubical parabola n = Cubical, and Semicubical. The parabolas have infinite branches, but no rectilineal asymptotes.
Difficulty: 16.72
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 28370
I
leaned
over
to
pick
up
a
conical
shell
descending
in
spirals
to
a
sharp,
eroded
point.
976
knotty
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Full of knots; knotted; having many knots; as, knotty timber; a knotty rope. 2. Hard; rugged; as, a knotty head.[R.] Rewe. 3. Difficult; intricate; perplexed. A knotty point to which we now proceed Pope.
"rewe": Tu rue. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Difficulty: 16.71
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20076
Nazeer
watched
me,
his
knotty
fists
balled
at
his
hips.
977
enthralling
prev
next
Definition (enthrall)
Definition (enthrall)
To hold in thrall; to enslave. See Inthrall. The bars survive the captive they enthrall. Byron.
"inthrall": To reduce to bondage or servitude; to make a thrall, slave, vassal, or captive of; to enslave. She soothes, but never can inthrall my mind. Prior.
"thrall": 1. A slave; a bondman. Chaucer. Gurth, the born thrall of Cedric. Sir W. Scott. 2. Slavery; bondage; servitude; thraldom. Tennyson. He still in thrall Of all-subdoing sleep. Chapman. 3. A shelf; a stand for barrels, etc. [Prov. Eng.]
Of or pertaining to a thrall; in the condition of a thrall; bond; enslaved. [Obs.] Spenser. The fiend that would make you thrall and bond. Chaucer.
To enslave. [Obs. or Poetic] Spenser.
Difficulty: 16.70
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2166
That
dishevelment
combined
with
his
theatrical
gestures
and
persistent
shouting
to
present
a
spectacle
that
seemed
to
be
more
enthralling,
for
the
crowd
of
onlookers,
than
the
wreckage
of
the
cars.
978
stewardship
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The office of a steward. Shak.
Difficulty: 16.70
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3852
The
force
of
her
personality
maintained
a
status
in
the
village
that
was
derived
from
Kishan’s
ownership
of
land
and
her
stewardship
of
their
small
personal
fortune.
979
maidan
prev
next
Definition
Definition
In various parts of Asia, an open space, as for military exercises, or for a market place; an open grassy tract; an esplanade. A gallop on the green maidan. M. Crawford.
"esplanade": 1. (Fort.) (a) A clear space between a citadel and the nearest houses of the town. Campbell (Mil. Dict. ). (b) The glacis of the counterscarp, or the slope of the parapet of the covered way toward the country. 2. (Hort.) A grass plat; a lawn. Simmonds. 3. Any clear, level space used for public walks or drives; esp., a terrace by the seaside.
Difficulty: 16.70
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27370
As
we
approached
the
Back
Bay
area
we
passed
an
open
maidan,
or
field,
where
a
party
of
wedding
musicians
dressed
in
bright
red-and-yellow
uniforms,
complete
with
tall,
plumed
hats,
was
rehearsing
its
songs.
980
harangued
prev
next
Definition (harangue)
Definition (harangue)
A speech addressed to a large public assembly; a popular oration; a loud address a multitude; in a bad sense, a noisy or pompous speech; declamation; ranting. Gray-headed men and grave, with warriors mixed, Assemble, and harangues are heard. Milton. Syn. -- Harangue, Speech, Oration. Speech is generic; an oration is an elaborate and rhetorical speech; an harangue is a vehement appeal to the passions, or a noisy, disputatious address. A general makes an harangue to his troops on the eve of a battle; a demagogue harangues the populace on the subject of their wrongs.
To make an harangue; to declaim.
To address by an harangue.
"declaim": 1. To speak rhetorically; to make a formal speech or oration; to harangue; specifically, to recite a speech, poem, etc., in public as a rhetorical exercise; to practice public speaking; as, the students declaim twice a week. 2. To speak for rhetorical display; to speak pompously, noisily, or theatrically; to make an empty speech; to rehearse trite arguments in debate; to rant. Grenville seized the opportunity to declaim on the repeal of the stamp act. Bancroft.
1. To utter in public; to deliver in a rhetorical or set manner. 2. To defend by declamation; to advocate loudly. [Obs.] "Declaims his cause." South.
"oration": An elaborate discourse, delivered in public, treating an important subject in a formal and dignified manner; especially, a discourse having reference to some special occasion, as a funeral, an anniversary, a celebration, or the like; -- distinguished from an argument in court, a popular harangue, a sermon, a lecture, etc.; as, Webster's oration at Bunker Hill. The lord archbishop . . . made a long oration. Bacon. Syn. -- Address; speech. See Harangue.
To deliver an oration. Donne.
"vehement": 1. Acting with great force; furious; violent; impetuous; forcible; mighty; as, vehement wind; a vehement torrent; a vehement fire or heat. 2. Very ardent; very eager or urgent; very fervent; passionate; as, a vehement affection or passion. "Vehement instigation." Shak. "Vehement desire." Milton. Syn. -- Furious; violent; raging; impetuous; passionate; ardent; eager; hot; fervid; burning.
"declamation": 1. The act or art of declaiming; rhetorical delivery; haranguing; loud speaking in public; especially, the public recitation of speeches as an exercise in schools and colleges; as, the practice declamation by students. The public listened with little emotion, but with much civility, to five acts of monotonous declamation. Macaulay. 2. A set or harangue; declamatory discourse. 3. Pretentious rhetorical display, with more sound than sense; as, mere declamation.
"disputatious": Inclined to dispute; apt to civil or controvert; characterized by dispute; as, a disputatious person or temper. The Christian doctrine of a future life was no recommendation of the new religion to the wits and philosophers of that disputations period. Buckminster. -- Dis`pu*ta"tious*ly, adv. -- Dis`pu*ta"tious*ness, n.
"demagogue": A leader of the rabble; one who attempts to control the multitude by specious or deceitful arts; an unprincipled and factious mob orator or political leader.
Difficulty: 16.69
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3907
She
harangued
those
who
wanted
to
appease
the
dacoits,
exhorting
them
to
resist
and
fight
and
kill,
if
necessary,
in
defence
of
their
lives
and
their
land.
981
mesmerising
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.69
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4548
They
shifted
constantly
from
foot
to
foot
in
a
gentle,
swaying
dance
that
was
as
mesmerising,
for
everyone
who
saw
it,
as
the
sound-weaving
hands
of
a
flute
player
for
his
cobras.
982
permeated
prev
next
Definition (permeate)
Definition (permeate)
1. To pass through the pores or interstices of; to penetrate and pass through without causing rupture or displacement; -- applied especially to fluids which pass through substances of loose texture; as, water permeates sand. Woodward. 2. To enter and spread through; to pervade. God was conceived to be diffused throughout the whole world, to permeate and pervade all things. Cudworth.
"diffused": Spread abroad; dispersed; loose; flowing; diffuse. It grew to be a widely diffused opinion. Hawthorne. -- Dif*fus"ed*ly, adv. -- Dif*fus"ed*ness, n.
"pervade": 1. To pass or flow through, as an aperture, pore, or interstice; to permeate. That labyrinth is easily pervaded. Blackstone. 2. To pass or spread through the whole extent of; to be diffused throughout. A spirit of cabal, intrigue, and proselytism pervaded all their thoughts, words, and actions. Burke.
Difficulty: 16.69
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8373
A
smell
of
incense
and
flowers
permeated,
and
the
eerie,
padded
silences
of
closed
rooms
surrounded
us.
983
unionists
prev
next
Definition (unionist)
Definition (unionist)
1. One who advocates or promotes union; especially a loyal supporter of a federal union, as that of the United States. 2. A member or supporter of a trades union.
Difficulty: 16.69
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17470
If
it
mattered
to
them
that
Mobutu
turned
the
weapons
on
trade
unionists
and
other
social
reformers
in
his
own
country,
they
never
expressed
the
concern
publicly.
984
emotive
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Attended by, or having the character of, emotion. H. Brooke. -- E*mo"tive*ly, adv.
Difficulty: 16.69
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23166
He
was
a
dark,
thin-faced
man
with
a
hawk-like
nose
and
a
thickly
emotive
mouth.
985
inviolable
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Not violable; not susceptible of hurt, wound, or harm (used with respect to either physical or moral damage); not susceptible of being profaned or corrupted; sacred; holy; as, inviolable honor or chastity; an inviolable shrine. He tried a third, a tough, well-chosen spear, The inviolable body stood sincere. Dryden. 2. Unviolated; uninjured; undefiled; uncorrupted. For thou, be sure, shalt give account To him who sent us, whose charge is to keep This place inviolable, and these from harm. Milton. 3. Not capable of being broken or violated; as, an inviolable covenant, agreement, promise, or vow. Their almighty Maker first ordained And bound them with inviolable bands. Spenser. And keep our faiths firm and inviolable. Shak.
"violable": Capable of being violated, broken, or injured. -- Vi"o*la*bly, adv.
Difficulty: 16.68
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 660
She
seemed
to
project
an
aura
that
was
attractive
and
inviolable
at
the
same
time.
986
escapism
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.68
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3267
When
I
understood
that,
a
great
many
of
the
characteristically
perplexing
aspects
of
public
life
became
comprehensible:
from
the
acceptance
of
sprawling
slums
by
city
authorities,
to
the
freedom
that
cows
had
to
roam
at
random
in
the
midst
of
traffic;
from
the
toleration
of
beggars
on
the
streets,
to
the
concatenate
complexity
of
the
bureaucracies;
and
from
the
gorgeous,
unashamed
escapism
of
Bollywood
movies,
to
the
accommodation
of
hundreds
of
thousands
of
refugees
from
Tibet,
Iran,
Afghanistan,
Africa,
and
Bangladesh,
in
a
country
that
was
already
too
crowded
with
sorrows
and
needs
of
its
own.
987
inviolably
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Without violation.
Difficulty: 16.68
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15128
And
that
hardness
divided
my
feelings
from
theirs
as
cleanly
and
inviolably
as
the
metre-wide
space
on
the
deck
separated
me
from
their
tangled,
high-spirited
party.
988
gymnastic
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Pertaining to athletic exercises intended for health, defense, or diversion; -- said of games or exercises, as running, leaping, wrestling, throwing the discus, the javelin, etc.; also, pertaining to disciplinary exercises for the intellect; athletic; as, gymnastic exercises, contests, etc.
A gymnast. [Obs.]
"discus": 1. (a) A quoit; a circular plate of some heavy material intended to be pitched or hurled as a trial of strength and skill. (b) The exercise with the discus. Note: This among the Greeks was one of the chief gymnastic exercises and was included in the Pentathlon (the contest of the five exercises). The chief contest was that of throwing the discus to the greatest possible distance. 2. A disk. See Disk.
Difficulty: 16.67
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9966
‘Yes,
okay
very
much!’
Tariq
agreed,
shaking
my
hand
with
gymnastic
enthusiasm.
989
scammers
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.67
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11790
The
street
accepted
me
in
that
complex
network
of
schemes
and
scammers
for
several
reasons.
990
dockyard
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A yard or storage place for all sorts of naval stores and timber for shipbuilding.
"shipbuilding": Naval architecturel the art of constructing ships and other vessels.
Difficulty: 16.67
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 14576
At
Sassoon
Dock
we
crossed
the
road
and
passed
beneath
the
arch
at
the
main
entrance
to
the
old
dockyard.
991
transom
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. (Arch.) A horizontal crossbar in a window, over a door, or between a door and a window above it. Transom is the horizontal, as mullion is the vertical, bar across an opening. See Illust. of Mullion. 2. (Naut.) One of the principal transverse timbers of the stern, bolted to the sternpost and giving shape to the stern structure; -- called also transsummer. 3. (Gun.) The piece of wood or iron connecting the cheeks of some gun carriages. 4. (Surg.) The vane of a cross-staff. Chambers. 5. (Railroad) One of the crossbeams connecting the side frames of a truck with each other. Transom knees (Shipbuilding), knees bolted to the transoms and after timbers. -- Transom window. (Arch.) (a) A window divided horizontally by a transom or transoms. (b) A window over a door, with a transom between.
"crossbar": A transverse bar or piece, as a bar across a door, or as the iron bar or stock which passes through the shank of an anchor to insure its turning fluke down. Russell. Crossbar shot, a projectile which folds into a sphere for loading, but on leaving the gun expands to a cross with a quarter ball at the end of each arm; -- used in naval actions for cutting the enemy's rigging.
"transsummer": See Transom, 2.
"shipbuilding": Naval architecturel the art of constructing ships and other vessels.
"mullion": (a) A slender bar or pier which forms the division between the lights of windows, screens, etc. (b) An upright member of a framing. See Stile.
To furnish with mullions; to divide by mullions.
"sternpost": A straight piece of timber, or an iron bar or beam, erected on the extremity of the keel to support the rudder, and receive the ends of the planks or plates of the vessel.
"transverse": Lying or being across, or in a crosswise direction; athwart; -- often opposed to Ant: longitudinal. Transverse axis (of an ellipse or hyperbola) (Geom.), that axis which passes through the foci. -- Transverse partition (Bot.), a partition, as of a pericarp, at right angles with the valves, as in the siliques of mustard.
1. Anything that is transverse or athwart. 2. (Geom.) The longer, or transverse, axis of an ellipse.
To overturn; to change. [R.] C. Leslie.
To change from prose into verse, or from verse into prose. [Obs.] Duke of Buckingham.
Difficulty: 16.66
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7566
The
uppermost
floors
hadn’t
been
concreted,
but
the
framework
of
upright,
transom,
and
truss
girders
was
already
in
place
and
even
there,
thirty-five
storeys
into
the
sky,
women
worked
beside
the
men.
992
minaret
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A slender, lofty tower attached to a mosque and surrounded by one or more projecting balconies, from which the summon to prayer is cried by the muezzin.
"muezzin": A Mohammedan crier of the hour of prayer. [Written also mouezzin, mueddin, and muwazzin.]
Difficulty: 16.66
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 10545
The
smile
shining
from
his
brave
young
face
was
like
moonlight
gleaming
on
the
minaret
of
Haji
Ali’s
white
mosque.
993
stagehands
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.66
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17745
Cliff
and
the
stagehands
backed
away
as
the
cast
members
took
their
places
on
the
set.
994
pragmatism
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The quality or state of being pragmatic; in literature, the pragmatic, or philosophical, method. The narration of this apparently trifling circumstance belongs to the pragmatism of the history. A. Murphy.
Difficulty: 16.65
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 5565
But
Indian
pragmatism
recognised
that
civilised
people
in
large,
modern
cities
needed
places
to
gather
and
hunt.
995
unobtrusively
prev
next
Definition (unobtrusive)
Definition (unobtrusive)
Not obtrusive; not presuming; modest. -- Un`ob*tru"sive*ly, adv. -- Un`ob*tru"sive*ness, n.
"obtrusive": Disposed to obtrude; inclined to intrude or thrust one's self or one's opinions upon others, or to enter uninvited; forward; pushing; intrusive. -- Ob*tru"sive*ly, adv. -- Ob*tru"sive*ness, n. Not obvious, not obtrusive, but retired. Milton.
Difficulty: 16.64
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 48
To
camouflage
themselves,
when
using
false
passports
and
identification
papers,
smugglers
insinuate
themselves
into
the
company
of
fellow
travellers—camels,
who’ll
carry
them
safely
and
unobtrusively
through
airport
or
border
controls
without
realising
it.
997
unobtrusive
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Not obtrusive; not presuming; modest. -- Un`ob*tru"sive*ly, adv. -- Un`ob*tru"sive*ness, n.
"obtrusive": Disposed to obtrude; inclined to intrude or thrust one's self or one's opinions upon others, or to enter uninvited; forward; pushing; intrusive. -- Ob*tru"sive*ly, adv. -- Ob*tru"sive*ness, n. Not obvious, not obtrusive, but retired. Milton.
Difficulty: 16.64
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6541
His
authority
was
clear
and
unquestioned,
but
it
was
a
subtle,
unobtrusive
leadership.
998
corrugated
prev
next
Definition (corrugate)
Definition (corrugate)
Wrinkled; crumpled; furrowed; contracted into ridges and furrows.
To form or shape into wrinkles or folds, or alternate ridges and grooves, as by drawing, contraction, pressure, bending, or otherwise; to wrinkle; to purse up; as, to corrugate plates of iron; to corrugate the forehead. Corrugated iron, sheet iron bent into a series of alternate ridges and grooves in parallel lines, giving it greater stiffness. -- Corrugated paper, a thick, coarse paper corrugated in order to give it elasticity. It is used as a wrapping material for fragile articles, as bottles.
"elasticity": 1. The quality of being elastic; the inherent property in bodies by which they recover their former figure or dimensions, after the removal of external pressure or altering force; springiness; tendency to rebound; as, the elasticity of caoutchouc; the elasticity of the air. 2. Power of resistance to, or recovery from, depression or overwork. Coefficient of elasticity, the quotient of a stress (of a given kind), by the strain (of a given kind) which it produces; -- called also coefficient of resistance. -- Surface of elasticity (Geom.), the pedal surface of an ellipsoid (see Pedal); a surface used in explaining the phenomena of double refraction and their relation to the elastic force of the luminous ether in crystalline media.
"stiffness": The quality or state of being stiff; as, the stiffness of cloth or of paste; stiffness of manner; stiffness of character. The vices of old age have the stiffness of it too. South.
Difficulty: 16.64
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17592
I
was
curious
to
see
the
large,
prestigious
studio
complex,
and
as
I
rode
through
the
entrance
gates
my
spirits
lifted
to
the
tall
grey
sails
of
the
corrugated
gable
roofs.
999
parallax
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The apparent displacement, or difference of position, of an object, as seen from two different stations, or points of view. 2. (Astron.) The apparent difference in position of a body (as the sun, or a star) as seen from some point on the earth's surface, and as seen from some other conventional point, as the earth's center or the sun. Annual parallax, the greatest value of the heliocentric parallax, or the greatest annual apparent change of place of a body as seen from the earth and sun; as, the annual parallax of a fixed star. -- Binocular parallax, the apparent difference in position of an object as seen separately by one eye, and then by the other, the head remaining unmoved. -- Diurnal, or Geocentric, parallax, the parallax of a body with reference to the earth's center. This is the kind of parallax that is generally understood when the term is used without qualification. -- Heliocentric parallax, the parallax of a body with reference to the sun, or the angle subtended at the body by lines drawn from it to the earth and sun; as, the heliocentric parallax of a planet. -- Horizontal parallax, the geocentric parallx of a heavenly body when in the horizon, or the angle subtended at the body by the earth's radius. -- Optical parallax, the apparent displacement in position undergone by an object when viewed by either eye singly. Brande & C. -- Parallax of the cross wires (of an optical instrument), their apparent displacement when the eye changes its position, caused by their not being exactly in the focus of the object glass. -- Stellar parallax, the annual parallax of a fixed star.
"diurnal": 1. Relating to the daytime; belonging to the period of daylight, distinguished from the night; -- opposed to Ant: nocturnal; as, diurnal heat; diurnal hours. 2. Daily; recurring every day; performed in a day; going through its changes in a day; constituting the measure of a day; as, a diurnal fever; a diurnal task; diurnal aberration, or diurnal parallax; the diurnal revolution of the earth. Ere twice the horses of the sun shall bring Their fiery torcher his diurnal ring. Shak. 3. (Bot.) Opening during the day, and closing at night; -- said of flowers or leaves. 4. (Zoöl.) Active by day; -- applied especially to the eagles and hawks among raptorial birds, and to butterflies (Diurna) among insects. Diurnal aberration (Anat.), the aberration of light arising from the effect of the earth's rotation upon the apparent direction of motion of light. -- Diurnal arc, the arc described by the sun during the daytime or while above the horizon; hence, the arc described by the moon or a star from rising to setting. -- Diurnal circle, the apparent circle described by a celestial body in consequence of the earth's rotation. -- Diurnal motion of the earth, the motion of the earth upon its axis which is described in twentyfour hours. -- Diurnal motion of a heavenly body, that apparent motion of the heavenly body which is due to the earth's diurnal motion. -- Diurnal parallax. See under Parallax. -- Diurnal revolution of a planet, the motion of the planet upon its own axis which constitutes one complete revolution. Syn. -- See Daily.
1. A daybook; a journal. [Obs.] Tatler. 2. (R. C. Ch.) A small volume containing the daily service for the "little hours," viz., prime, tierce, sext, nones, vespers, and compline. 3. (Zoöl.) A diurnal bird or insect.
"heliocentric": pertaining to the sun's center, or appearing to be seen from it; having, or relating to, the sun as a center; -- opposed to geocentrical. Heliocentric parallax. See under Parallax. -- Heliocentric place, latitude, longitude, etc. (of a heavenly body), the direction, latitude, longitude, etc., of the body as viewed from the sun.
"geocentric": (a) Having reference to the earth as center; in relation to or seen from the earth, -- usually opposed to heliocentric, as seen from the sun; as, the geocentric longitude or latitude of a planet. (b) Having reference to the center of the earth. Geocentric latitude (of place) the angle included between the radius of the earth through the place and the plane of the equator, in distinction from geographic latitude. It is a little less than the geographic latitude.
"unmoved": Not moved; fixed; firm; unshaken; calm; apathetic. -- Un*mov"ed*ly, adv.
"binocular": 1. Having two eyes. "Most animals are binocular." Derham. 2. Pertaining to both eyes; employing both eyes at once; as, binocular vision. 3. Adapted to the use of both eyes; as, a binocular microscope or telescope. Brewster.
A binocular glass, whether opera glass, telescope, or microscope.
"singly": 1. Individually; particularly; severally; as, to make men singly and personally good. 2. Only; by one's self; alone. Look thee, 't is so! Thou singly honest man. Shak. 3. Without partners, companions, or associates; single-handed; as, to attack another singly. At omber singly to decide their doom. Pope. 4. Honestly; sincerely; simply. [R.] Johnson. 5. Singularly; peculiarly. [Obs.] Milton.
Difficulty: 16.64
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26781
There
was
something
missing:
some
calculation,
some
piece
of
evidence
or
parallax
view
of
my
life
that
would
make
it
all
clear
to
me,
I
was
sure,
but
I
didn’t
know
what
it
was.
1000
coagulation
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The change from a liquid to a thickened, curdlike, insoluble state, not by evaporation, but by some kind of chemical reaction; as, the spontaneous coagulation of freshly drawn blood; the coagulation of milk by rennet, or acid, and the coagulation of egg albumin by heat. Coagulation is generally the change of an albuminous body into an insoluble modification. 2. The substance or body formed by coagulation.
"insoluble": 1. Not soluble; in capable or difficult of being dissolved, as by a liquid; as, chalk is insoluble in water. 2. Not to be solved or explained; insolvable; as, an insoluble doubt, question, or difficulty. 3. Strong. "An insoluble wall." [Obs.] Holland
"albumin": A thick, viscous nitrogenous substance, which is the chief and characteristic constituent of white of eggs and of the serum of blood, and is found in other animal substances, both fluid and solid, also in many plants. It is soluble in water is coagulated by heat ad by certain chemical reagents. Acid albumin, a modification of albumin produced by the action of dilute acids. It is not coagulated by heat. -- Alkali albumin, albumin as modified by the action of alkaline substances; -- called also albuminate.
"rennet": A name of many different kinds of apples. Cf. Reinette. Mortimer.
The inner, or mucous, membrance of the fourth stomach of the calf, or other young ruminant; also, an infusion or preparation of it, used for coagulating milk. [Written also runnet.] Cheese rennet. (Bot.) See under Cheese. -- Rennet ferment (Physiol. Chem.), a ferment, present in rennet and in variable quantity in the gastric juice of most animals, which has the power of curdling milk. The ferment presumably acts by changing the casein of milk from a soluble to an insoluble form. -- Rennet stomach (Anat.), the fourth stomach, or abomasum, of ruminants.
"albuminous": Pertaining to, or containing, albumen; having the properties of, or resembling, albumen or albumin. -- Al*bu"mi*nous*ness, n.
"evaporation": 1. The process by which any substance is converted from a liquid state into, and carried off in, vapor; as, the evaporation of water, of ether, of camphor. 2. The transformation of a portion of a fluid into vapor, in order to obtain the fixed matter contained in it in a state of greater consistence. 3. That which is evaporated; vapor. 4. (Steam Engine) See Vaporization.
Difficulty: 16.63
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 22783
There
was
no
exit
wound,
but
there
was
extensive
blood
coagulation
and
bruising
on
the
left
side
of
his
chest.
1001
lithe
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next
Definition
Definition
To listen or listen to; to hearken to. [Obs.] P. Plowman.
1. Mild; calm; as, lithe weather. [Obs.] 2. Capable of being easily bent; pliant; flexible; limber; as, the elephant's lithe proboscis. Milton.
To smooth; to soften; to palliate. [Obs.]
"pliant": 1. Capable of plying or bending; readily yielding to force or pressure without breaking; flexible; pliable; lithe; limber; plastic; as, a pliant thread; pliant wax. Also used figuratively: Easily influenced for good or evil; tractable; as, a pliant heart. The will was then ductile and pliant to right reason. South. 2. Favorable to pliancy. [R.] "A pliant hour." Shak. -- Pli"ant*ly, adv. -- Pli"ant*ness, n.
"hearken": 1. To listen; to lend the ear; to attend to what is uttered; to give heed; to hear, in order to obey or comply. The Furies hearken, and their snakes uncurl. Dryden. Hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you. Deut. iv. 1. 2. To inquire; to seek information. [Obs.] "Hearken after their offense." Shak. Syn. -- To attend; listen; hear; heed. See Attend, v. i.
1. To hear by listening. [Archaic] [She] hearkened now and then Some little whispering and soft groaning sound. Spenser. 2. To give heed to; to hear attentively. [Archaic] The King of Naples . . . hearkens my brother's suit. Shak. To hearken out, to search out. [Obs.] If you find none, you must hearken out a vein and buy. B. Johnson.
"plowman": 1. One who plows, or who holds and guides a plow; hence, a husbandman. Chaucer. Macaulay. 2. A rustic; a countryman; a field laborer. Plowman's spikenard (Bot.), a European composite weed (Conyza squarrosa), having fragrant roots. Dr. Prior.
"palliate": 1. Covered with a mant [Obs.] Bp. Hall. 2. Eased; mitigated; alleviated. [Obs.] Bp. Fell.
1. To cover with a mantle or cloak; to cover up; to hide. [Obs.] Being palliated with a pilgrim's coat. Sir T. Herbert. 2. To cover with excuses; to conceal the enormity of, by excuses and apologies; to extenuate; as, to palliate faults. They never hide or palliate their vices. Swift. 3. To reduce in violence; to lessen or abate; to mitigate; to ease withhout curing; as, to palliate a disease. To palliate dullness, and give time a shove. Cowper. Syn. -- To cover; cloak; hide; extenuate; conceal. -- To Palliate, Extenuate, Cloak. These words, as here compared, are used in a figurative sense in reference to our treatment of wrong action. We cloak in order to conceal completely. We extenuate a crime when we endeavor to show that it is less than has been supposed; we palliate a crime when we endeavor to cover or conceal its enormity, at least in part. This naturally leads us to soften some of its features, and thus palliate approaches extenuate till they have become nearly or quite identical. "To palliate is not now used, though it once was, in the sense of wholly cloaking or covering over, as it might be, our sins, but in that of extenuating; to palliate our faults is not to hide them altogether, but to seek to diminish their guilt in part." Trench.
"proboscis": 1. (Zoöl.) A hollow organ or tube attached to the head, or connected with the mouth, of various animals, and generally used in taking food or drink; a snout; a trunk. Note: The proboscis of an elephant is a flexible muscular elongation of the nose. The proboscis of insects is usually a chitinous tube formed by the modified maxillæ, or by the labium. See Illusts. of Hemiptera and Lepidoptera. 2. (Zoöl.) By extension, applied to various tubelike mouth organs of the lower animals that can be everted or protruded. Note: The proboscis of annelids and of mollusks is usually a portion of the pharynx that can be everted or protruded. That of nemerteans is a special long internal organ, not connected with the mouth, and not used in feeding, but capable of being protruded from a pore in the head. See Illust. in Appendix. 3. The nose. [Jocose] Proboscis monkey. (Zoöl.) See Kahau.
Difficulty: 16.63
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26920
He
had
a
lithe
build,
and
was
average
tall,
my
height,
with
an
open,
handsome
face.
1002
commiserated
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next
Definition (commiserate)
Definition (commiserate)
To feel sorrow, pain, or regret for; to pity. Then must we those, who groan, beneath the weight Of age, disease, or want, commiserate. Denham. We should commiserate our mutual ignorance. Locke. Syn. -- To pity; compassionate; lament; condole.
"condole": To express sympathetic sorrow; to grieve in sympathy; -- followed by with. Your friends would have cause to rejoice, rather than condole with you. Sir W. Temple.
To lament or grieve over. [R.] I come not, Samson, to condole thy chance. Milton.
Difficulty: 16.62
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3298
When
at
last
he
rose
to
leave,
and
I
resumed
my
seat,
he
muttered
such
a
vile
curse
that
the
other
passengers
sputtered
into
guffaws
of
laughter,
and
a
couple
of
them
commiserated
with
me
by
patting
my
shoulder
and
back.
1003
piteousness
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next
Definition (piteous)
Definition (piteous)
1. Pious; devout. [Obs.] The Lord can deliver piteous men from temptation. Wyclif. 2. Evincing pity, compassion, or sympathy; compassionate; tender. "[She] piteous of his case." Pope. She was so charitable and so pitous. Chaucer. 3. Fitted to excite pity or sympathy; wretched; miserable; lamentable; sad; as, a piteous case. Spenser. The most piteous tale of Lear. Shak. 4. Paltry; mean; pitiful. "Piteous amends." Milton. Syn. -- Sorrowful; mournful; affecting; doleful; woeful; rueful; sad; wretched; miserable; pitiable; pitiful; compassionate. -- Pit"e*ous*ly, adv. -- Pit"e*ous*ness, n.
"rueful": 1. Causing one to rue or lament; woeful; mournful; sorrowful. 2. Expressing sorrow. "Rueful faces." Dryden. Two rueful figures, with long black cloaks. Sir W. Scott. -- Rue"ful*ly, adv. -- Rue"ful*ness, n.
"doleful": Full of dole or grief; expressing or exciting sorrow; sorrowful; sad; dismal. With screwed face and doleful whine. South. Regions of sorrow, doleful shades. Milton. Syn. -- Piteous; rueful; sorrowful; woeful; melancholy; sad gloomy; dismal; dolorous; woe-begone. - Dole"ful*ly, adv. -- Dole"ful*ness, n.
"pitiable": Deserving pity; wworthy of, or exciting, compassion; miserable; lamentable; piteous; as, pitiable persons; a pitiable condition; pitiable wretchedness. Syn. -- Sorrowful; woeful; sad. See Piteous. -- Pit"i*a*ble*ness, n. -- Pit"i*a*bly, adv.
"lamentable": 1. Mourning; sorrowful; expressing grief; as, a lamentable countenance. "Lamentable eye." Spenser. 2. Fitted to awaken lament; to be lamented; sorrowful; pitiable; as, a lamentable misfortune, or error. "Lamentable helplessness." Burke. 3. Miserable; pitiful; paltry; -- in a contemptuous or Bp. Stillingfleet. -- Lam"en*ta*ble*ness, n. -- Lam"en*ta*bly, adv.
Difficulty: 16.61
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 547
But
as
Prabaker
led
me
on
through
the
roistering
crowd,
he
drew
my
attention
to
other
images
of
those
beggars
that
softened
the
awful
caricature
presented
by
the
performance
of
their
piteousness.
1004
hexagons
prev
next
Definition (hexagon)
Definition (hexagon)
A plane figure of six angles. Regular hexagon, a hexagon in which the angles are all equal, and the sides are also all equal.
Difficulty: 16.61
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1373
Its
intricate
tile-work
replicated
the
pattern
used
in
a
north
Indian
palace,
with
hexagons
in
black,
cream,
and
brown
radiating
from
a
central
sunburst.
1005
bulbous
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next
Definition
Definition
Having or containing bulbs, or a bulb; growing from bulbs; bulblike in shape or structure.
Difficulty: 16.61
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4210
What
I
saw
was
a
plain,
wide
face
with
a
bulbous
nose,
and
lips
so
thin
and
curled
with
contempt
that
her
mouth
resembled
a
clam
that
some-one
had
poked
with
a
stick.
1006
invigorated
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next
Definition (invigorate)
Definition (invigorate)
To give vigor to; to strengthen; to animate; to give life and energy to. Christian graces and virtues they can not be, unless fed, invigorated, and animated by universal charity. Atterbury. Syn. -- To refresh; animate; exhilarate; stimulate.
"exhilarate": To make merry or jolly; to enliven; to animate; to gladden greatly; to cheer; as, good news exhilarates the mind; wine exhilarates a man.
To become joyous. [R.] Bacon.
Difficulty: 16.61
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6451
The
people,
as
I
passed
them,
were
robust
and
invigorated.
1007
sinewy
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Pertaining to, consisting of, or resembling, a sinew or sinews. The sinewy thread my brain lets fall. Donne. 2. Well braced with, or as if with, sinews; nervous; vigorous; strong; firm; tough; as, the sinewy Ajax. A man whose words . . . were so close and sinewy. Hare.
Difficulty: 16.61
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6618
Qasim
Ali’s
nut-brown
skin,
stretched
over
his
lean
and
sinewy
body,
was
as
smooth
and
taut
as
a
boxer’s
glove.
1008
piteous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Pious; devout. [Obs.] The Lord can deliver piteous men from temptation. Wyclif. 2. Evincing pity, compassion, or sympathy; compassionate; tender. "[She] piteous of his case." Pope. She was so charitable and so pitous. Chaucer. 3. Fitted to excite pity or sympathy; wretched; miserable; lamentable; sad; as, a piteous case. Spenser. The most piteous tale of Lear. Shak. 4. Paltry; mean; pitiful. "Piteous amends." Milton. Syn. -- Sorrowful; mournful; affecting; doleful; woeful; rueful; sad; wretched; miserable; pitiable; pitiful; compassionate. -- Pit"e*ous*ly, adv. -- Pit"e*ous*ness, n.
"rueful": 1. Causing one to rue or lament; woeful; mournful; sorrowful. 2. Expressing sorrow. "Rueful faces." Dryden. Two rueful figures, with long black cloaks. Sir W. Scott. -- Rue"ful*ly, adv. -- Rue"ful*ness, n.
"doleful": Full of dole or grief; expressing or exciting sorrow; sorrowful; sad; dismal. With screwed face and doleful whine. South. Regions of sorrow, doleful shades. Milton. Syn. -- Piteous; rueful; sorrowful; woeful; melancholy; sad gloomy; dismal; dolorous; woe-begone. - Dole"ful*ly, adv. -- Dole"ful*ness, n.
"pitiable": Deserving pity; wworthy of, or exciting, compassion; miserable; lamentable; piteous; as, pitiable persons; a pitiable condition; pitiable wretchedness. Syn. -- Sorrowful; woeful; sad. See Piteous. -- Pit"i*a*ble*ness, n. -- Pit"i*a*bly, adv.
"lamentable": 1. Mourning; sorrowful; expressing grief; as, a lamentable countenance. "Lamentable eye." Spenser. 2. Fitted to awaken lament; to be lamented; sorrowful; pitiable; as, a lamentable misfortune, or error. "Lamentable helplessness." Burke. 3. Miserable; pitiful; paltry; -- in a contemptuous or Bp. Stillingfleet. -- Lam"en*ta*ble*ness, n. -- Lam"en*ta*bly, adv.
Difficulty: 16.61
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23638
But
at
that
moment
we
heard
a
piercingly
piteous
scream
of
terror.
1009
heavyset
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.60
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13163
He
was
tall
and
heavyset.
1010
sauntered
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next
Definition (saunter)
Definition (saunter)
To wander or walk about idly and in a leisurely or lazy manner; to lounge; to stroll; to loiter. One could lie under elm trees in a lawn, or saunter in meadows by the side of a stream. Masson. Syn. -- To loiter; linger; stroll; wander.
A sauntering, or a sauntering place. That wheel of fops, that saunter of the town. Young.
Difficulty: 16.60
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 16364
He
sauntered
off
in
pursuit
of
a
passing
trio
of
German
tourists,
and
I
walked
back
into
the
restaurant.
1011
earache
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Ache or pain in the ear.
Difficulty: 16.60
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20107
And
think
of
every
pain
you’ve
ever
known—the
burn
with
hot
oil,
the
sharp
sliver
of
glass,
the
broken
bone,
the
gravel
rash
when
you
fell
on
the
rough
road
in
winter,
the
headache
and
the
earache
and
the
toothache.
1012
aspirated
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next
Definition
Definition
Pronounced with the h sound or with audible breath. But yet they are not aspirate, i. e., with such an aspiration as h. Holder.
"aspirate": To pronounce with a breathing, an aspirate, or an h sound; as, we aspirate the words horse and house; to aspirate a vowel or a liquid consonant.
1. A sound consisting of, or characterized by, a breath like the sound of h; the breathing h or a character representing such a sound; an aspirated sound. 2. A mark of aspiration used in Greek; the asper, or rough breathing. Bentley. 3. An elementary sound produced by the breath alone; a surd, or nonvocal consonant; as, f, th in thin, etc.
Pronounced with the h sound or with audible breath. But yet they are not aspirate, i. e., with such an aspiration as h. Holder.
Difficulty: 16.59
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 14282
Softly
rounded
American
vowels
blended
with
breathy,
aspirated
Arabic
in
a
sound,
a
voice,
that
was
somewhere
between
Omar
Sharif
and
Nicholas
Cage.
1013
boatmen
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next
Difficulty: 16.59
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21196
I
dragged
my
eyes
from
the
sight
of
them,
as
boatmen
drag
a
lake
with
starry
hooks.
1014
predations
prev
next
Definition (predation)
Definition (predation)
The act of pillaging. E. Hall.
Difficulty: 16.58
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4003
Fields
flooded,
or
succumbed
to
the
predations
of
insects
and
crop
diseases.
1015
sunlit
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Lighted by the sun.
Difficulty: 16.58
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8371
We
entered
a
long,
cool
corridor,
darker
than
the
sunlit
street
but
softly
illuminated
by
lily-shaped
lamps
of
fluted
glass.
1016
lilting
prev
next
Definition (lilt)
Definition (lilt)
1. To do anything with animation and quickness, as to skip, fly, or hop. [Prov. Eng.] Wordsworth. 2. To sing cheerfully. [Scot.]
To utter with spirit, animation, or gayety; to sing with spirit and liveliness. A classic lecture, rich in sentiment, With scraps of thundrous epic lilted out By violet-hooded doctors. Tennyson.
1. Animated, brisk motion; spirited rhythm; sprightliness. The movement, the lilt, and the subtle charm of the verse. F. Harrison. 2. A lively song or dance; a cheerful tune. The housewife went about her work, or spun at her wheel, with a lilt upon her lips. J. C. Shairp.
"quickness": 1. The condition or quality of being quick or living; life. [Obs.] Touch it with thy celestial quickness. Herbert. 2. Activity; briskness; especially, rapidity of motion; speed; celerity; as, quickness of wit. This deed . . . must send thee hence With fiery quickness. Shak. His mind had, indeed, great quickness and vigor. Macaulay. 3. Acuteness of perception; keen sensibility. Would not quickness of sensation be an inconvenience to an animal that must lie still Locke 4. Sharpness; pungency of taste. Mortimer. Syn. -- Velocity; celerity; rapidity; speed; haste; expedition; promptness; dispatch; swiftness; nimbleness; fleetness; agility; briskness; liveliness; readiness; sagacity; shrewdness; shrewdness; sharpness; keenness.
"gayety": 1. The state of being gay; merriment; mirth; acts or entertainments prompted by, or inspiring, merry delight; -- used often in the plural; as, the gayeties of the season. 2. Finery; show; as, the gayety of dress. Syn. -- Liveliness; mirth; animation; vivacity; glee; blithesomeness; sprightliness; jollity. See Liveliness.
"thundrous": Thunderous; sonorous. "Scraps of thunderous epic." Tennyson.
"sprightliness": The quality or state of being sprightly; liveliness; life; briskness; vigor; activity; gayety; vivacity. In dreams, observe with what a sprightliness and alacrity does she [the soul] exert herself! Addison.
"liveliness": 1. The quality or state of being lively or animated; sprightliness; vivacity; animation; spirit; as, the liveliness of youth, contrasted with the gravity of age. B. Jonson. 2. An appearance of life, animation, or spirit; as, the liveliness of the eye or the countenance in a portrait. 3. Briskness; activity; effervescence, as of liquors. Syn. -- Sprightliness; gayety; animation; vivacity; smartness; briskness; activity. -- Liveliness, Gayety, Animation, Vivacity. Liveliness is an habitual feeling of life and interest; gayety refers more to a temporary excitement of the animal spirits; animation implies a warmth of emotion and a corresponding vividness of expressing it, awakened by the presence of something which strongly affects the mind; vivacity is a feeling between liveliness and animation, having the permanency of the one, and, to some extent, the warmth of the other. Liveliness of imagination; gayety of heart; animation of countenance; vivacity of gesture or conversation.
Difficulty: 16.58
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12072
Her
lilting
German
accent
gave
a
fluttering
music
to
her
speech
that
pleased
my
ear.
1017
legislated
prev
next
Definition (legislate)
Definition (legislate)
To make or enact a law or laws. Solon, in legislating for the Athenians, had an idea of a more perfect constitution than he gave them. Bp. Watson (1805).
"solon": A celebrated Athenian lawmaker, born about 638 b. c.; hence, a legislator; a publicist; -- often used ironically.
Difficulty: 16.58
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17378
Sometimes
the
upheaval
was
legislated:
thousands
of
Hong
Kong
residents
who
weren’t
recognised
as
British
citizens
became
potential
clients,
with
the
stroke
of
a
pen,
when
Britain
decided
in
1984
to
return
its
colonial
possession
to
China
in
a
thirteen-year
resolution
of
sovereignty.
1018
expletive
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Filling up; hence, added merely for the purpose of filling up; superfluous. "Expletive imagery." Hallam. Expletive phrases to plump his speech. Barrow.
A word, letter, or syllable not necessary to the sense, but inserted to fill a vacancy; an oath. While explectives their feeble aid to join, And ten low words oft creep in one dull line. Pope.
Difficulty: 16.58
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21854
‘Of
course
I’m
fuckun
okay!’
I
snapped,
a
purely
Australian
accent
punching
into
the
expletive.
1019
iterations
prev
next
Definition (iteration)
Definition (iteration)
Recital or performance a second time; repetition. Bacon. What needs this iteration, woman Shak.
Difficulty: 16.58
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20340
And
on
that
night,
holding
Karla’s
heart
against
my
own
as
we
watched
his
fire
dance
on
the
sand,
I
remembered
another
of
his
English
iterations.
1020
antagonists
prev
next
Definition (antagonist)
Definition (antagonist)
1. One who contends with another, especially in combat; an adversary; an opponent. Antagonist of Heaven's Almigthy King. Milton. Our antagonists in these controversies. Hooker. 2. (Anat.) A muscle which acts in opposition to another; as a flexor, which bends a part, is the antagonist of an extensor, which extends it. 3. (Med.) A medicine which opposes the action of another medicine or of a poison when absorbed into the blood or tissues. Syn. -- Adversary; enemy; opponent; toe; competitor. See Adversary.
Antagonistic; opposing; counteracting; as, antagonist schools of philosophy.
"extensor": A muscle which serves to extend or straighten any part of the body, as an arm or a finger; -- opposed to flexor.
"antagonistic": Opposing in combat, combating; contending or acting against; as, antagonistic forces. -- An*tag`o*nis"tic*al*ly, adv. They were distinct, adverse, even antagonistic. Milman.
"flexor": A muscle which bends or flexes any part; as, the flexors of the arm or the hand; -- opposed to extensor.
Difficulty: 16.57
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9327
The
problem,
between
the
two
antagonists,
whatever
it
was,
had
been
resolved
in
the
violent
encounter,
and
the
matter
was
finished
so
far
as
they
were
concerned.
1021
obsequious
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Promptly obedient, or submissive, to the will of another; compliant; yielding to the desires of another; devoted. [Obs.] His servants weeping, Obsequious to his orders, bear him hither. Addison. 2. Servilely or meanly attentive; compliant to excess; cringing; fawning; as, obsequious flatterer, parasite. There lies ever in "obsequious" at the present the sense of an observance which is overdone, of an unmanly readiness to fall in with the will of another. Trench. 3. Etym: [See Obsequy.] Of or pertaining to obsequies; funereal. [R.] "To do obsequious sorrow." Shak. Syn. -- Compliant; obedient; servile. See Yielding.
"servilely": In a servile manner; slavishly.
"funereal": Suiting a funeral; pertaining to burial; solemn. Hence: Dark; dismal; mournful. Jer. Taylor. What seem to us but sad funereal tapers May be heaven's distant lamps. Longfellow. -- Fu*ne"re*al*ly, adv.
"meanly": Moderately. [Obs.] A man meanly learned himself, but not meanly affectioned to set forward learning in others. Ascham.
In a mean manner; unworthily; basely; poorly; ungenerously. While the heaven-born child All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies. Milton. Would you meanly thus rely On power you know I must obey Prior. We can not bear to have others think meanly of them [our kindred]. I. Watts.
"obsequies": See Obsequy.
"servile": 1. Of or pertaining to a servant or slave; befitting a servant or a slave; proceeding from dependence; hence, meanly submissive; slavish; mean; cringing; fawning; as, servile flattery; servile fear; servile obedience. She must bend the servile knee. Thomson. Fearing dying pays death servile breath. Shak. 2. Held in subjection; dependent; enslaved. Even fortune rules no more, O servile land! Pope. 3. (Gram.) (a) Not belonging to the original root; as, a servile letter. (b) Not itself sounded, but serving to lengthen the preceeding vowel, as e in tune.
An element which forms no part of the original root; -- opposed to radical.
"observance": 1. The act or practice of observing or noticing with attention; a heeding or keeping with care; performance; -- usually with a sense of strictness and fidelity; as, the observance of the Sabbath is general; the strict observance of duties. It is a custom More honored in the breach than the observance. Shak. 2. An act, ceremony, or rite, as of worship or respect; especially, a customary act or service of attention; a form; a practice; a rite; a custom. At dances These young folk kept their observances. Chaucer. Use all the observance of civility. Shak. Some represent to themselves the whole of religion as consisting in a few easy observances. Rogers. O I that wasted time to tend upon her, To compass her with sweet observances! Tennyson. 3. Servile attention; sycophancy. [Obs.] Salads and flesh, such as their haste could get, Served with observance. Chapman. This is not atheism, But court observance. Beau. & Fl. Syn. -- Observance, Observation. These words are discriminated by the two distinct senses of observe. To observe means (1) to keep strictly; as, to observe a fast day, and hence, observance denotes the keeping or heeding with strictness; (2) to consider attentively, or to remark; and hence, observation denotes either the act of observing, or some remark made as the result thereof. We do not say the observation of Sunday, though the word was formerly so used. The Pharisees were curious in external observances; the astronomers are curious in celestial observations. Love rigid honesty, And strict observance of impartial laws. Roscommon.
"etym": See Etymon. H. F. Talbot.
"obsequy": 1. The last duty or service to a person, rendered after his death; hence, a rite or ceremony pertaining to burial; -- now used only in the plural. Spencer. I will...fetch him hence, and solemnly attend, With silent obsequy and funeral train. Milton I will myself Be the chief mourner at his obsequies. Dryden. The funeral obsequies were decently and privately performed by his family J. P. Mahaffy. 2. Obsequiousness. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
Difficulty: 16.57
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 10438
Those
dogs
that
were
so
cowed
and
obsequious
in
the
daylight
hours
formed
themselves
into
vicious,
feral
packs
at
night.
1022
obsequiousness
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The quality or state of being obsequious. South.
Difficulty: 16.57
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13213
As
they
ate
noisily,
they
threw
scraps
of
chicken,
bread,
or
fruit
outwards
to
the
surrounding
flunkies
sitting
on
their
haunches
in
simian
obsequiousness,
and
waiting
with
bulging
eyes
and
salivating
mouths.
1023
riotous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Involving, or engaging in, riot; wanton; unrestrained; luxurious. The younger son . . . took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. Luke xv. 13. 2. Partaking of the nature of an unlawful assembly or its acts; seditious. -- Ri"ot*ous*ly, adv. -- Ri"ot*ous*ness, n.
"seditious": 1. Of or pertaining to sedition; partaking of the nature of, or tending to excite, sedition; as, seditious behavior; seditious strife; seditious words. 2. Disposed to arouse, or take part in, violent opposition to lawful authority; turbulent; factious; guilty of sedition; as, seditious citizens. -- Se*di"tious*ly, adv. -- Se*di"tious*ness, n.
Difficulty: 16.57
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17133
Seconds
after
we
entered,
someone
shouted
Quiet,
please]
And
then
a
riotous
musical
number
began.
1024
swath
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. A line of grass or grain cut and thrown together by the scythe in mowing or cradling. 2. The whole sweep of a scythe, or the whole breadth from which grass or grain is cut by a scythe or a machine, in mowing or cradling; as, to cut a wide swath. 3. A band or fillet; a swathe. Shak. Swath bank, a row of new-mown grass. [Prov. Eng.]
"swathe": To bind with a swathe, band, bandage, or rollers. Their children are never swathed or bound about with any thing when they are first born. Abp. Abbot.
A bandage; a band; a swath. Wrapped me in above an hundred yards of swathe. Addison. Milk and a swathe, at first, his whole demand. Young. The solemn glory of the afternoon, with its long swathes of light between the far off rows of limes. G. Eliot.
"cradling": 1. The act of using a cradle. 2. (Coopering) Cutting a cask into two pieces lengthwise, to enable it to pass a narrow place, the two parts being afterward united and rehooped. 3. (Carp.) The framework in arched or coved ceilings to which the laths are nailed. Knight.
Difficulty: 16.56
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7950
They’d
scythed
and
smashed
a
swath,
one
hundred
metres
long
and
ten
metres
wide,
at
the
north-eastern
corner
of
the
illegal
slum.
1025
swathed
prev
next
Definition (swath)
Definition (swath)
1. A line of grass or grain cut and thrown together by the scythe in mowing or cradling. 2. The whole sweep of a scythe, or the whole breadth from which grass or grain is cut by a scythe or a machine, in mowing or cradling; as, to cut a wide swath. 3. A band or fillet; a swathe. Shak. Swath bank, a row of new-mown grass. [Prov. Eng.]
"swathe": To bind with a swathe, band, bandage, or rollers. Their children are never swathed or bound about with any thing when they are first born. Abp. Abbot.
A bandage; a band; a swath. Wrapped me in above an hundred yards of swathe. Addison. Milk and a swathe, at first, his whole demand. Young. The solemn glory of the afternoon, with its long swathes of light between the far off rows of limes. G. Eliot.
"cradling": 1. The act of using a cradle. 2. (Coopering) Cutting a cask into two pieces lengthwise, to enable it to pass a narrow place, the two parts being afterward united and rehooped. 3. (Carp.) The framework in arched or coved ceilings to which the laths are nailed. Knight.
Difficulty: 16.56
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23923
I
felt
along
the
padded
bandages
that
swathed
my
shins,
from
knees
to
ankles.
1026
kommen
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.55
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1233
Naja,
ten
minutes
in
the
room
and
erwollte
auf
der
Klamotten
kommen.
1027
komm
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.55
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17736
‘Na,
komm’
schonl
Hor’
aufi’
one
of
the
girls
said.
1028
coherence
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. A sticking or cleaving together; union of parts of the same body; cohesion. 2. Connection or dependence, proceeding from the subordination of the parts of a thing to one principle or purpose, as in the parts of a discourse, or of a system of philosophy; consecutiveness. Coherence of discourse, and a direct tendency of all the parts of it to the argument in hand, are most eminently to be found in him. Locke.
"eminently": In an eminent manner; in a high degree; conspicuously; as, to be eminently learned.
"consecutiveness": The state or quality of being consecutive.
"subordination": 1. The act of subordinating, placing in a lower order, or subjecting. 2. The quality or state of being subordinate or inferior to an other; inferiority of rank or dignity; subjection. Natural creature having a local subordination. Holyday. 3. Place of inferior rank. Persons who in their several subordinations would be obliged to follow the example of their superiors. Swift.
Difficulty: 16.54
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 10016
I
realised
that
she
was
early
drunk,
in
that
squall
of
coherence
before
slurred
speech
and
clumsiness
and
collapse.
1029
durability
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The state or quality of being durable; the power of uninterrupted or long continuance in any condition; the power of resisting agents or influences which tend to cause changes, decay, or dissolution; lastingness. A Gothic cathedral raises ideas of grandeur in our minds by the size, its height, . . . its antiquity, and its durability. Blair.
Difficulty: 16.54
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15284
Renowned
for
its
idiosyncratic
handling
as
much
as
for
its
reliability
and
durability,
the
Bullet
was
a
bike
that
demanded
a
relationship
with
its
rider.
1030
pilfered
prev
next
Definition (pilfer)
Definition (pilfer)
To steal in small quantities, or articles of small value; to practice petty theft.
To take by petty theft; to filch; to steal little by little. And not a year but pilfers as he goes Some youthful grace that age would gladly keep. Cowper.
"filch": To steal or take privily (commonly, that which is of little value); to pilfer. Fain would they filch that little food away. Dryden. But he that filches from me my good name, Robs me of that which not enriches him, And makes me poor indeed. Shak.
Difficulty: 16.54
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 22818
I
pulled
the
metal
pieces
from
his
body
with
long
stainless
steel
tweezers
and
a
pair
of
long-nosed
pliers
I
pilfered
from
the
mechanic’s
kit.
1031
recuperation
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Recovery, as of anything lost, especially of the health or strength.
Difficulty: 16.54
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24621
And
I
knew,
as
well,
that
the
revenge
I’d
fed
myself
with
and
planned
through
the
weeks
of
my
recuperation
in
Pakistan
was
not
merely
hers,
not
only
hers.
1032
mutinous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Disposed to mutiny; in a state of mutiny; characterized by mutiny; seditious; insubordinate. The city was becoming mutinous. Macaulay. -- Mu"ti*nous*ly, adv. -- Mu"ti*nous*ness, n.
"seditious": 1. Of or pertaining to sedition; partaking of the nature of, or tending to excite, sedition; as, seditious behavior; seditious strife; seditious words. 2. Disposed to arouse, or take part in, violent opposition to lawful authority; turbulent; factious; guilty of sedition; as, seditious citizens. -- Se*di"tious*ly, adv. -- Se*di"tious*ness, n.
Difficulty: 16.54
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27865
Abdul
Ghani’s
mutinous
betrayal
was
finally
defeated.
1033
humblest
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.54
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1372
Its
chief
splendour
was
truly
admired
by
none
but
its
humblest
workers,
however,
for
it
was
only
when
the
bar
was
closed,
and
the
cleaners
removed
all
the
furniture
each
morning,
that
the
beauty
of
the
floor
was
exposed.
1034
entendre
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.54
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1754
I
told
him
once
he’s
so
shallow
that
the
best
he
can
manage
is
a
single
entendre.
1035
affluence
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. A flowing to or towards; a concourse; an influx. The affluence of young nobles from hence into Spain. Wotton. There is an unusual affluence of strangers this year. Carlyle. 2. An abundant supply, as of thought, words, feelings, etc.; profusion; also, abundance of property; wealth. And old age of elegance, affluence, and ease. Coldsmith. Syn. -- Abundance; riches; profusion; exuberance; plenty; wealth; opulence.
"opulence": Wealth; riches; affluence. Swift
"profusion": 1. The act of one who is profuse; a lavishing or pouring out without sting. Thy vast profusion to the factious nobles Rowe. 2. Abundance; exuberant plenty; lavish supply; as, a profusion of commodities. Addison.
Difficulty: 16.54
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 5390
A
six-lane
road
separated
the
seaside
path
from
a
horizon-wide,
incurving
crescent
of
affluence:
fine
homes,
expensive
apartments,
consular
offices,
first-class
restaurants,
and
hotels
that
looked
out
over
the
black
and
heaving
sea.
1036
workmates
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.54
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7269
The
one
entertainment
he
allowed
himself
was
a
trip
to
the
cheapest
cinema,
with
his
workmates,
once
a
week.
1037
typeface
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.54
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8786
I
opened
it
out
and
read
through
the
four
paragraphs
of
large,
bold
typeface.
1038
wrest
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. To turn; to twist; esp., to twist or extort by violence; to pull of force away by, or as if by, violent wringing or twisting. "The secret wrested from me." Milton. Our country's cause, That drew our swords, now secret wrests them from our hand. Addison. They instantly wrested the government out of the hands of Hastings. Macaulay. 2. To turn from truth; to twist from its natural or proper use or meaning by violence; to pervert; to distort. Wrest once the law to your authority. Shak. Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor. Ex. xxiii. 6. Their arts of wresting, corrupting, and false interpreting the holy text. South. 3. To tune with a wrest, or key. [Obs.]
1. The act of wresting; a wrench; a violent twist; hence, distortion; perversion. Hooker. 2. Active or moving power. [Obs.] Spenser. 3. A key to tune a stringed instrument of music. The minstrel . . . wore round his neck a silver chain, by which hung the wrest, or key, with which he tuned his harp. Sir W. Scott. 4. A partition in a water wheel, by which the form of the buckets is determined. Wrest pin (Piano Manuf.), one of the pins around which the ends of the wires are wound in a piano. Knight. -- Wrest plank (Piano Manuf.), the part in which the wrest pins are inserted.
"wringing": a. & n. from Wring, v. Wringing machine, a wringer. See Wringer, 2.
"stringed": 1. Having strings; as, a stringed instrument. Ps. cl. 4. 2. Produced by strings. "Answering the stringed noise." Milton.
Difficulty: 16.54
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12440
His
hands
grasped
the
plate
near
my
own,
and
we
both
pulled,
but
neither
of
us
had
the
gross
strength
to
wrest
it
away.
1039
allusion
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. A figurative or symbolical reference. [Obs.] 2. A reference to something supposed to be known, but not explicitly mentioned; a covert indication; indirect reference; a hint.
"figurative": 1. Representing by a figure, or by resemblance; typical; representative. This, they will say, was figurative, and served, by God's appointment, but for a time, to shadow out the true glory of a more divine sanctity. Hooker. 2. Used in a sense that is tropical, as a metaphor; not literal; -- applied to words and expressions. 3. Ambounding in figures of speech; flowery; florid; as, a highly figurative description. 4. Relating to the representation of form or figure by drawing, carving, etc. See Figure, n., 2. They belonged to a nation dedicated to the figurative arts, and they wrote for a public familiar with painted form. J. A. Symonds. Figurative counterpointdescant. See under Figurate. -- Fig"ur*a*tive*ly, adv. -- Fig"ur*a*tive*ness, n.
"symbolical": Of or pertaining to a symbol or symbols; of the nature of a symbol; exhibiting or expressing by resemblance or signs; representative; as, the figure of an eye is symbolic of sight and knowledge. -- Sym*bol"ic*al*ly, adv. -- Sym*bol"ic*al*ness, n. The sacrament is a representation of Christ's death by such symbolical actions as he himself appointed. Jer. Taylor. Symbolical delivery (Law), the delivery of property sold by delivering something else as a symbol, token, or representative of it. Bouvier. Chitty. -- Symbolical philosophy, the philosophy expressed by hieroglyphics.
Difficulty: 16.54
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15178
I
turned,
slowly,
to
stare
at
her,
searching
in
the
faint
light
for
some
hint
of
spite,
some
hidden
meaning
or
allusion
in
the
question.
1040
titillating
prev
next
Definition (titillate)
Definition (titillate)
To tickle; as, to titillate the nose with a feather. The pungent grains of titillating dust. Pope.
Difficulty: 16.54
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 19076
Encouraged
by
that
febrile
curiosity,
Cliff
De
Souza
spun
out
yarns
about
the
Bollywood
stars,
and
Chandra
Mehta
added
titillating
ruffles
of
gossip
throughout.
1041
amphitheatre
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. An oval or circular building with rising tiers of seats about an open space called the arena. Note: The Romans first constructed amphitheaters for combats of gladiators and wild beasts. 2. Anything resembling an amphitheater in form; as, a level surrounded by rising slopes or hills, or a rising gallery in a theater.
"amphitheater": 1. An oval or circular building with rising tiers of seats about an open space called the arena. Note: The Romans first constructed amphitheaters for combats of gladiators and wild beasts. 2. Anything resembling an amphitheater in form; as, a level surrounded by rising slopes or hills, or a rising gallery in a theater.
Difficulty: 16.54
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20866
The
Imperial
Staff
College
for
military
officers
in
British
India
was
established
there,
and
a
thriving,
prosperous
marketcentre
grew
up
in
the
spectacular,
natural
amphitheatre
of
the
surrounding
mountains.
1042
perversities
prev
next
Definition (perversity)
Definition (perversity)
The quality or state of being perverse; perverseness.
"perverseness": The quality or state of being perverse. "Virtue hath some perverseness." Donne.
Difficulty: 16.54
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23664
And
in
one
of
those
perversities
of
the
pitying
heart,
I
found
myself
feeling
sorry
for
Habib.
1043
allusions
prev
next
Definition (allusion)
Definition (allusion)
1. A figurative or symbolical reference. [Obs.] 2. A reference to something supposed to be known, but not explicitly mentioned; a covert indication; indirect reference; a hint.
"figurative": 1. Representing by a figure, or by resemblance; typical; representative. This, they will say, was figurative, and served, by God's appointment, but for a time, to shadow out the true glory of a more divine sanctity. Hooker. 2. Used in a sense that is tropical, as a metaphor; not literal; -- applied to words and expressions. 3. Ambounding in figures of speech; flowery; florid; as, a highly figurative description. 4. Relating to the representation of form or figure by drawing, carving, etc. See Figure, n., 2. They belonged to a nation dedicated to the figurative arts, and they wrote for a public familiar with painted form. J. A. Symonds. Figurative counterpointdescant. See under Figurate. -- Fig"ur*a*tive*ly, adv. -- Fig"ur*a*tive*ness, n.
"symbolical": Of or pertaining to a symbol or symbols; of the nature of a symbol; exhibiting or expressing by resemblance or signs; representative; as, the figure of an eye is symbolic of sight and knowledge. -- Sym*bol"ic*al*ly, adv. -- Sym*bol"ic*al*ness, n. The sacrament is a representation of Christ's death by such symbolical actions as he himself appointed. Jer. Taylor. Symbolical delivery (Law), the delivery of property sold by delivering something else as a symbol, token, or representative of it. Bouvier. Chitty. -- Symbolical philosophy, the philosophy expressed by hieroglyphics.
Difficulty: 16.54
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26316
They
were
deeply
moving
in
their
beauty,
for
the
first
few
stanzas,
but
always
found
their
way
into
sexual
descriptions
and
allusions
so
perverse
and
abhorrent
that
strong,
wicked
men
winced
to
hear
them.
1044
disfigurement
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Act of disfiguring, or state of being disfigured; deformity. Milton. 2. That which disfigures; a defacement; a blot. Uncommon expressions . . . are a disfigurement rather than any embellishment of discourse. Hume.
"defacement": 1. The act of defacing, or the condition of being defaced; injury to the surface or exterior; obliteration. 2. That which mars or disfigures. Bacon.
"embellishment": 1. The act of adorning, or the state of being adorned; adornment. In the selection of their ground, as well as in the embellishment of it. Prescott. 2. That which adds beauty or elegance; ornament; decoration; as, pictorial embellishments. The graces and embellishments of the exterior man. I. Taylor.
Difficulty: 16.54
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26462
It
was
a
monstrous
mutilation;
a
disfigurement
so
calculated
in
its
cruelty
that
I
felt
numbed
by
it
and
unable
to
respond.
1045
aghast
prev
next
Definition
Definition
To affright; to terrify. [Obs.] Chaucer. Spenser.
See Agast, v. t. [Obs.]
Terrified; struck with amazement; showing signs of terror or horror. Aghast he waked; and, starting from his bed, Cold sweat in clammy drops his limbs o'erspread. Dryden. The commissioners read and stood aghast. Macaulay.
"affright": To impress with sudden fear; to frighten; to alarm. Dreams affright our souls. Shak. A drear and dying sound Affrights the flamens at their service quaint. Milton. Syn. -- To terrify; frighten; alarm; dismay; appall; scare; startle; daunt; intimidate.
Affrighted. [Obs.] Chaucer.
1. Sudden and great fear; terror. It expresses a stronger impression than fear, or apprehension, perhaps less than terror. He looks behind him with affright, and forward with despair. Goldsmith. 2. The act of frightening; also, a cause of terror; an object of dread. B. Jonson.
"agast": See Aghast.
To affright; to terrify. [Obs.] Chaucer. Spenser.
Difficulty: 16.54
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27182
The
few
foreigners
I’d
taken
to
the
slum—and
even
the
Indians,
such
as
Kavita
Singh
and
Vikram,
who’d
visited
me
there—had
been
horrified
by
the
place
and
aghast
to
think
that
I’d
chosen
to
stay
there
so
long.
1046
stonemasons
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.53
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8367
There
was
an
alleyway
on
the
right-hand
side
of
the
building,
and
the
stonemasons
had
lavished
their
handiwork
on
the
quoin—every
second
stone
from
the
ground
to
below
the
eaves
was
faceted
like
a
jewel.
1047
statehood
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The condition of being a State; as, a territory seeking Statehood.
Difficulty: 16.53
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13530
Although
still
devoted
to
the
cause
of
Palestinian
statehood
in
his
words,
he
was
in
fact
lost
to
any
cause
but
the
suffering
he’d
endured
and
the
suffering
he
lived
to
inflict.
1048
gawping
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.53
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 16854
By
the
time
I
came
to
Bombay,
the
eye
contact
ranged
from
an
ogling
gaze
to
a
gawping,
goggle-eyed
glare.
1049
stonemason
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.53
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23810
Mazdur
Gul,
the
stonemason,
whose
name
means
labourer,
and
whose
hands
were
permanently
grey-white
from
decades
of
work
with
granite
…
Daoud,
who
liked
to
be
called
by
the
English
version
of
his
name,
David,
and
whose
dream
it
was
to
visit
the
great
city
of
New
York
and
eat
a
meal
in
a
fine
restaurant
…
Zamaanat,
whose
name
means
trust,
and
whose
brave
smile
concealed
the
agony
of
shame
he’d
felt
that
his
whole
family
lived
in
hungry
squalor
at
Jalozai,
a
huge
refugee
camp
near
Peshawar
…
Hajji
Akbar,
who’d
been
appointed
as
the
doctor
in
the
unit
for
no
other
reason
than
that
he’d
once
spent
two
months
as
a
patient
in
a
Kabul
hospital,
and
who’d
greeted
my
acceptance
of
the
doctor’s
job,
when
I
arrived
at
the
mountain
camp,
with
prayers
and
a
little
Dervish
dance
of
joy
…
Alef,
the
mischievously
satirical
Pashtun
trader,
who
died
crawling
in
the
snow
with
his
back
torn
open
and
his
clothes
on
fire
…
Juma
and
Hanif,
the
two
wild
boys
who
were
killed
by
the
madman
Habib
…
Jalalaad,
their
fearless
young
friend,
who
died
in
the
last
charge
…
Ala-ud-Din,
whose
name
in
English
is
shortened
to
Aladdin,
and
who
escaped
unscathed
…
Suleiman
Shahbadi,
of
the
furrowed
brow
and
sorrowing
eyes,
who
died
leading
us
into
the
guns.
1050
firelight
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.53
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 28336
For
a
moment
I
let
myself
imagine
how
those
green
eyes
must’ve
blazed
with
firelight
as
she’d
watched
the
Palace
burn.
1051
unfurl
prev
next
Definition
Definition
To loose from a furled state; to unfold; to expand; to open or spread; as, to unfurl sails; to unfurl a flag.
Difficulty: 16.52
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4418
A
man
can
make
his
way
in
the
city
with
his
heart
and
his
soul
crushed
within
a
clenched
fist;
but
to
live
in
a
village,
he
has
to
unfurl
his
heart
and
his
soul
in
his
eyes.
1052
cavernous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Full of caverns; resembling a cavern or large cavity; hollow. 2. Filled with small cavities or cells. 3. Having a sound caused by a cavity. Cavernous body, a body of erectile tissue with large interspaces which may be distended with blood, as in the penis or clitoris. -- Cavernous respiration, a peculiar respiratory sound andible on auscultation, when the bronchial tubes communicate with morbid cavities in the lungs.
"auscultation": 1. The act of listening or hearkening to. Hickes. 2. (Med.) An examination by listening either directly with the ear (immediate auscultation) applied to parts of the body, as the abdomen; or with the stethoscope (mediate ~), in order to distinguish sounds recognized as a sign of health or of disease.
"bronchial": Belonging to the bronchi and their ramifications in the lungs. Bronchial arteries, branches of the descending aorta, accompanying the bronchia in all their ramifications. -- Bronchial cells, the air cells terminating the bronchia. -- Bronchial glands, glands whose functions are unknown, seated along the bronchia. -- Bronchial membrane, the mucous membrane lining the bronchia. -- Bronchial tube, the bronchi, or the bronchia.
Difficulty: 16.52
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7615
It
was
a
vast,
cavernous
space,
divided
by
equidistant
columns
and
canopied
by
a
flat,
concrete
ceiling
adorned
with
a
creepery
of
cables.
1053
mandarins
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.52
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17391
Abdul’s
agents
in
South
America,
Asia,
and
Africa
established
contact
with
embezzlers,
torturers,
mandarins,
and
martinets
who’d
supported
fallen
tyrannies.
1054
enrages
prev
next
Definition (enrage)
Definition (enrage)
To fill with rage; to provoke to frenzy or madness; to make furious. Syn. -- To irritate; incense; inflame; exasperate; provoke; anger; madden; infuriate.
"exasperate": Exasperated; imbittered. [Obs.] Shak. Like swallows which the exasperate dying year Sets spinning. Mrs. Browning.
1. To irritate in a high degree; to provoke; to enrage; to exscite or to inflame the anger of; as, to exasperate a person or his feelings. To exsasperate them against the king of France. Addison. 2. To make grievous, or more grievous or malignant; to aggravate; to imbitter; as, to exasperate enmity. To exasperate the ways of death. Sir T. Browne. Syn. -- To irritate; provoke. See Irritate.
"infuriate": Enraged; rading; furiously angry; infuriated. Milton. Inflamed beyond the most infuriate wrath. Thomson.
To render furious; to enrage; to exasperate. Those curls of entangled snakes with which Erinys is said to have infuriated Athemas and Ino. Dr. H. More.
Difficulty: 16.51
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13112
I’d
learned
the
hard
way
that
it’s
wise
to
keep
silent
when
prison
authorities
abuse
their
power:
everything
you
do
enrages
them,
and
everything
you
say
makes
it
worse.
1055
predictability
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.51
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13983
That
is
the
extent
of
his
reliability,
I
am
afraid,
but
in
these
things
he
does
show
a
marvellous
predictability.
1056
profiteer
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.51
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 14582
The
contrast
between
those
rusted,
graceless
hulks
and
the
elegant
wooden
boats
beside
them
spoke
a
history,
a
modern
saga,
a
world
story
that
moved
from
life
at
sea,
as
a
romantic
calling,
to
the
profiteer’s
cold,
efficient
lusting
for
the
bottom
line.
1057
quarrelsome
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Apt or disposed to quarrel; given to brawls and contention; easily irritated or provoked to contest; irascible; choleric. Syn. -- Pugnacious; irritable; irascible; brawling; choleric; fiery; petulant. -- Quar"rel*some*ly, adv. -- Quar"rel*some*ness, n.
"irascible": Prone to anger; easily provoked or inflamed to anger; choleric; irritable; as, an irascible man; an irascible temper or mood. -- I*ras"ci*ble*ness, n. -- I*ras"ci*bly, adv.
"choleric": 1. Abounding with, or producing choler, or bile. Dryden. 2. Easily irritated; irascible; inclined to anger. 3. Angry; indicating anger; excited by anger. "Choleric speech." Sir W. Raleigh. Choleric temperament, the bilious temperament.
"quar": A quarry. [Prov. Eng.] B. Jonson.
"pugnacious": Disposed to fight; inclined to fighting; quarrelsome; fighting. --Pug*na"cious*ly, adv. -- Pug*na"cious*ness, n.
Difficulty: 16.51
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27330
His
son
Satish,
who’d
been
sullen
and
quarrelsome
for
a
time
after
his
mother’s
death,
had
at
last
overcome
the
aloofness
of
grieving,
and
was
engaged
to
a
girl
he’d
known
since
his
earliest
memory
in
the
slum.
1058
unverifiable
prev
next
Definition (verifiable)
Definition (verifiable)
Capable of being verified; confirmable. Bp. Hall.
"confirmable": That may be confirmed.
Difficulty: 16.50
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8035
People
said
she
was
Russian,
but
that
detail,
like
all
the
others
concerning
her
private
life,
seemed
to
be
unverifiable.
1059
skulked
prev
next
Definition (skulk)
Definition (skulk)
To hide, or get out of the way, in a sneaking manner; to lie close, or to move in a furtive way; to lurk. "Want skulks in holes and crevices." W. C. Bryant. Discovered and defeated of your prey, You skulked behind the fence, and sneaked away. Dryden.
A number of foxes together. Wright.
One who, or that which, skulks.
"furtive": Stolen; obtained or characterized by stealth; sly; secret; stealthy; as, a furtive look. Prior. A hasty and furtive ceremony. Hallam.
Difficulty: 16.50
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11756
The
devil,
they
say,
is
in
the
details,
and
I
knew
well
the
devils
that
lurked
and
skulked
in
the
details
of
my
own
story.
1060
forbearance
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The act of forbearing or waiting; the exercise of patience. He soon shall findForbearance no acquittance ere day end. Milton. 2. The quality of being forbearing; indulgence toward offenders or enemies; long-suffering. Have a continent forbearance, till the speed of his rage goeShak. Syn. -- Abstinence; refraining; lenity; mildness.
"forbearing": Disposed or accustomed to forbear; patient; long-suffering. -- For*bear"ing*ly, adv.
"mildness": The quality or state of being mild; as, mildness of temper; the mildness of the winter.
"lenity": The state or quality of being lenient; mildness of temper or disposition; gentleness of treatment; softness; tenderness; clemency; -- opposed to severity and rigor. His exceeding lenity disposes us to be somewhat too severe. Macaulay. Syn. -- Gentleness; kindness; tenderness; softness; humanity; clemency; mercy.
"acquittance": 1. The clearing off of debt or obligation; a release or discharge from debt or other liability. 2. A writing which is evidence of a discharge; a receipt in full, which bars a further demand. You can produce acquittances For such a sum, from special officers. Shak.
To acquit. [Obs.] Shak.
Difficulty: 16.50
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 14820
With
inexhaustible
forbearance,
he’d
taught
me
everything
that
he
thought
I
needed
to
know
about
gold
and
the
smuggler’s
arts.
1061
vaguest
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.50
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18925
I’d
travelled
to
Zaïre,
Mauritius,
and
Singapore
on
forged
passports
without
raising
the
vaguest
suspicion.
1062
concho
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.50
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11825
His
belt
was
made
from
American
silver
dollar
coins
linked
one
to
the
other
and
fastened
with
a
domed
concho
as
a
belt
buckle.
1063
balked
prev
next
Definition (balk)
Definition (balk)
1. A ridge of land left unplowed between furrows, or at the end of a field; a piece missed by the plow slipping aside. Bad plowmen made balks of such ground. Fuller. 2. A great beam, rafter, or timber; esp., the tie-beam of a house. The loft above was called "the balks." Tubs hanging in the balks. Chaucer. 3. (Mil.) One of the beams connecting the successive supports of a trestle bridge or bateau bridge. 4. A hindrance or disappointment; a check. A balk to the confidence of the bold undertaker. South. 5. A sudden and obstinate stop; a failure. 6. (Baseball) A deceptive gesture of the pitcher, as if to deliver the ball. Balk line (Billiards), a line across a billiard table near one end, marking a limit within which the cue balls are placed in beginning a game; also, a line around the table, parallel to the sides, used in playing a particular game, called the balk line game.
1. To leave or make balks in. [Obs.] Gower. 2. To leave heaped up; to heap up in piles. [Obs.] Ten thousand bold Scots, two and twenty knights, Balk'd in their own blood did Sir Walter see. Shak. 3. To omit, miss, or overlook by chance. [Obs.] 4. To miss intentionally; to avoid; to shun; to refuse; to let go by; to shirk. [Obs. or Obsolescent] By reason of the contagion then in London, we balked the Evelyn. Sick he is, and keeps his bed, and balks his meat. Bp. Hall. Nor doth he any creature balk, But lays on all he meeteth. Drayton. 5. To disappoint; to frustrate; to foil; to baffle; to as, to balk expectation. They shall not balk my entrance. Byron.
1. To engage in contradiction; to be in opposition. [Obs.] In strifeful terms with him to balk. Spenser. 2. To stop abruptly and stand still obstinately; to jib; to stop short; to swerve; as, the horse balks. Note: This has been regarded as an Americanism, but it occurs in Spenser's "Faërie Queene," Book IV., 10, xxv. Ne ever ought but of their true loves talkt, Ne ever for rebuke or blame of any balkt.
To indicate to fishermen, by shouts or signals from shore, the direction taken by the shoals of herring.
"americanism": 1. Attachment to the United States. 2. A custom peculiar to the United States or to America; an American characteristic or idea. 3. A word or phrase peculiar to the United States.
"bateau": A boat; esp. a flat-bottomed, clumsy boat used on the Canadian lakes and rivers. [Written also, but less properly, batteau.] Bateau bridge, a floating bridge supported by bateaux.
"rafter": A raftsman.
Originally, any rough and somewhat heavy piece of timber. Now, commonly, one of the timbers of a roof which are put on sloping, according to the inclination of the roof. See Illust. of Queen-post. [Courtesy] oft is sooner found in lowly sheds, With smoky rafters, than in tapestry halls. Milton.
1. To make into rafters, as timber. 2. To furnish with rafters, as a house. 3. (Agric.) To plow so as to turn the grass side of each furrow upon an unplowed ridge; to ridge. [Eng.]
"trestle": 1. A movable frame or support for anything, as scaffolding, consisting of three or four legs secured to a top piece, and forming a sort of stool or horse, used by carpenters, masons, and other workmen; also, a kind of framework of strong posts or piles, and crossbeams, for supporting a bridge, the track of a railway, or the like. 2. The frame of a table. Trestle board, a board used by architects, draughtsmen, and the like, for drawing designs upon; -- so called because commonly supported by trestles. -- Trestle bridge. See under Bridge, n.
"strifeful": Contentious; discordant. The ape was strifeful and ambitious. Spenser.
"baffle": 1. To cause to undergo a disgraceful punishment, as a recreant knight. [Obs.] He by the heels him hung upon a tree, And baffled so, that all which passed by The picture of his punishment might see. Spenser. 2. To check by shifts and turns; to elude; to foil. The art that baffles time's tyrannic claim. Cowper. 3. To check by perplexing; to disconcert, frustrate, or defeat; to thwart. "A baffled purpose." De Quincey. A suitable scripture ready to repel and baffle them all. South. Calculations so difficult as to have baffled, until within a . . . recent period, the most enlightened nations. Prescott. The mere intricacy of a question should not baffle us. Locke. Baffling wind (Naut.), one that frequently shifts from one point to another. Syn. -- To balk; thwart; foil; frustrate; defeat.
1. To practice deceit. [Obs.] Barrow. 2. To struggle against in vain; as, a ship baffles with the winds. [R.]
A defeat by artifice, shifts, and turns; discomfiture. [R.] "A baffle to philosophy." South.
"obsolescent": Going out of use; becoming obsolete; passing into desuetude.
"frustrate": Vain; ineffectual; useless; unprofitable; null; voil; nugatory; of no effect. "Our frustrate search." Shak.
1. To bring to nothing; to prevent from attaining a purpose; to disappoint; to defeat; to baffle; as, to frustrate a plan, design, or attempt; to frustrate the will or purpose. Shall the adversary thus obtain His end and frustrate thine Milton. 2. To make null; to nullifly; to render invalid or of no effect; as, to frustrate a conveyance or deed. Syn. -- To balk; thwart; foil; baffle; defeat.
Difficulty: 16.50
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 16503
The
hired
thugs
surrendered
that
much
information,
but
then
they
balked.
1064
balks
prev
next
Definition (balk)
Definition (balk)
1. A ridge of land left unplowed between furrows, or at the end of a field; a piece missed by the plow slipping aside. Bad plowmen made balks of such ground. Fuller. 2. A great beam, rafter, or timber; esp., the tie-beam of a house. The loft above was called "the balks." Tubs hanging in the balks. Chaucer. 3. (Mil.) One of the beams connecting the successive supports of a trestle bridge or bateau bridge. 4. A hindrance or disappointment; a check. A balk to the confidence of the bold undertaker. South. 5. A sudden and obstinate stop; a failure. 6. (Baseball) A deceptive gesture of the pitcher, as if to deliver the ball. Balk line (Billiards), a line across a billiard table near one end, marking a limit within which the cue balls are placed in beginning a game; also, a line around the table, parallel to the sides, used in playing a particular game, called the balk line game.
1. To leave or make balks in. [Obs.] Gower. 2. To leave heaped up; to heap up in piles. [Obs.] Ten thousand bold Scots, two and twenty knights, Balk'd in their own blood did Sir Walter see. Shak. 3. To omit, miss, or overlook by chance. [Obs.] 4. To miss intentionally; to avoid; to shun; to refuse; to let go by; to shirk. [Obs. or Obsolescent] By reason of the contagion then in London, we balked the Evelyn. Sick he is, and keeps his bed, and balks his meat. Bp. Hall. Nor doth he any creature balk, But lays on all he meeteth. Drayton. 5. To disappoint; to frustrate; to foil; to baffle; to as, to balk expectation. They shall not balk my entrance. Byron.
1. To engage in contradiction; to be in opposition. [Obs.] In strifeful terms with him to balk. Spenser. 2. To stop abruptly and stand still obstinately; to jib; to stop short; to swerve; as, the horse balks. Note: This has been regarded as an Americanism, but it occurs in Spenser's "Faërie Queene," Book IV., 10, xxv. Ne ever ought but of their true loves talkt, Ne ever for rebuke or blame of any balkt.
To indicate to fishermen, by shouts or signals from shore, the direction taken by the shoals of herring.
"americanism": 1. Attachment to the United States. 2. A custom peculiar to the United States or to America; an American characteristic or idea. 3. A word or phrase peculiar to the United States.
"bateau": A boat; esp. a flat-bottomed, clumsy boat used on the Canadian lakes and rivers. [Written also, but less properly, batteau.] Bateau bridge, a floating bridge supported by bateaux.
"rafter": A raftsman.
Originally, any rough and somewhat heavy piece of timber. Now, commonly, one of the timbers of a roof which are put on sloping, according to the inclination of the roof. See Illust. of Queen-post. [Courtesy] oft is sooner found in lowly sheds, With smoky rafters, than in tapestry halls. Milton.
1. To make into rafters, as timber. 2. To furnish with rafters, as a house. 3. (Agric.) To plow so as to turn the grass side of each furrow upon an unplowed ridge; to ridge. [Eng.]
"trestle": 1. A movable frame or support for anything, as scaffolding, consisting of three or four legs secured to a top piece, and forming a sort of stool or horse, used by carpenters, masons, and other workmen; also, a kind of framework of strong posts or piles, and crossbeams, for supporting a bridge, the track of a railway, or the like. 2. The frame of a table. Trestle board, a board used by architects, draughtsmen, and the like, for drawing designs upon; -- so called because commonly supported by trestles. -- Trestle bridge. See under Bridge, n.
"strifeful": Contentious; discordant. The ape was strifeful and ambitious. Spenser.
"baffle": 1. To cause to undergo a disgraceful punishment, as a recreant knight. [Obs.] He by the heels him hung upon a tree, And baffled so, that all which passed by The picture of his punishment might see. Spenser. 2. To check by shifts and turns; to elude; to foil. The art that baffles time's tyrannic claim. Cowper. 3. To check by perplexing; to disconcert, frustrate, or defeat; to thwart. "A baffled purpose." De Quincey. A suitable scripture ready to repel and baffle them all. South. Calculations so difficult as to have baffled, until within a . . . recent period, the most enlightened nations. Prescott. The mere intricacy of a question should not baffle us. Locke. Baffling wind (Naut.), one that frequently shifts from one point to another. Syn. -- To balk; thwart; foil; frustrate; defeat.
1. To practice deceit. [Obs.] Barrow. 2. To struggle against in vain; as, a ship baffles with the winds. [R.]
A defeat by artifice, shifts, and turns; discomfiture. [R.] "A baffle to philosophy." South.
"obsolescent": Going out of use; becoming obsolete; passing into desuetude.
"frustrate": Vain; ineffectual; useless; unprofitable; null; voil; nugatory; of no effect. "Our frustrate search." Shak.
1. To bring to nothing; to prevent from attaining a purpose; to disappoint; to defeat; to baffle; as, to frustrate a plan, design, or attempt; to frustrate the will or purpose. Shall the adversary thus obtain His end and frustrate thine Milton. 2. To make null; to nullifly; to render invalid or of no effect; as, to frustrate a conveyance or deed. Syn. -- To balk; thwart; foil; baffle; defeat.
Difficulty: 16.50
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17235
Anyway,
his
wife
balks
at
this,
understand-ably,
but
Rasheed
convinces
her,
and
she
goes
off
to
have
the
operation.’
1065
burdensome
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Grievous to be borne; causing uneasiness or fatigue; oppressive. The debt immense of endless gratitude So burdensome. Milton. Syn. -- Heavy; weighty; cumbersome; onerous; grievous; oppressive; troublesome. -- Bur"den*some*ly, adv. -- Bur"den*some*ness, n.
"bur": 1. (Bot.) Any rough or prickly envelope of the seeds of plants, whether a pericarp, a persistent calyx, or an involucre, as of the chestnut and burdock. Also, any weed which bears burs. Amongst rude burs and thistles. Milton. Bur and brake and brier. Tennyson. 2. The thin ridge left by a tool in cutting or shaping metal. See Burr, n., 2. 3. A ring of iron on a lance or spear. See Burr, n., 4. 4. The lobe of the ear. See Burr, n., 5. 5. The sweetbread. 6. A clinker; a partially vitrified brick. 7. (Mech.) (a) A small circular saw. (b) A triangular chisel. (c) A drill with a serrated head larger than the shank; -- used by dentists. 8. Etym: [Cf. Gael. borr, borra, a knob, bunch.] (Zoöl.) The round knob of an antler next to a deer's head. [Commonly written burr.] Bur oak (Bot.), a useful and ornamental species of oak (Quercus macrocarpa) with ovoid acorns inclosed in deep cups imbricated with pointed scales. It grows in the Middle and Western United States, and its wood is tough, close-grained, and durable. -- Bur reed (Bot.), a plant of the genus Sparganium, having long ribbonlike leaves.
"onerous": Burdensome; oppressive. "Too onerous a solicitude." I. Taylor. Onerous cause (Scots Law), a good and legal consideration; -- opposed to gratuitous.
"weighty": 1. Having weight; heavy; ponderous; as, a weighty body. 2. Adapted to turn the balance in the mind, or to convince; important; forcible; serious; momentous. "For sundry weighty reasons." Shak. Let me have your advice in a weighty affair. Swift. 3. Rigorous; severe; afflictive. [R.] "Attend our weightier judgment." Shak. Syn. -- Heavy; ponderous; burdensome; onerous; forcible; momentous; efficacious; impressive; cogent. WEIL'S DISEASE Weil's disease. (Med.) An acute infectious febrile disease, resembling typhoid fever, with muscular pains, disturbance of the digestive organs, jaundice, etc.
"uneasiness": 1. The quality or state of being uneasy; restlessness; disquietude; anxiety. 2. The quality of making uneasy; discomfort; as, the uneasiness of the road. [Obs.] Bp. Burnet.
Difficulty: 16.50
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26321
And
Taj
Raj,
the
helpful
passer-by,
assisted
both
of
them
to
their
feet,
and
relieved
the
foreigner
of
his
burdensome
wallet.
1066
waggled
prev
next
Definition (waggle)
Definition (waggle)
To reel, sway, or move from side to side; to move with a wagging motion; to waddle. Why do you go nodding and waggling so L'Estrange.
To move frequently one way and the other; to wag; as, a bird waggles his tail.
Difficulty: 16.50
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27243
When
it
was
clear,
and
such
a
hawker’s
cart
was
found
and
wheeled
into
the
clearing,
the
bear-handlers
waggled
their
heads
excitedly
that
yes,
yes,
yes,
Kano
would
sit
on
such
a
moving
table.
1067
cajolery
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A wheedling to delude; words used in cajoling; flattery. "Infamous cajoleries." Evelyn.
Difficulty: 16.49
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2395
He
raised
the
palms
of
his
hands
to
stop
Prabaker’s
wheedling
cajolery.
1068
demarcations
prev
next
Definition (demarcation)
Definition (demarcation)
The act of marking, or of ascertaining and setting a limit; separation; distinction. The speculative line of demarcation, where obedience ought to end and resistance must begin, is faint, obscure, and not easily definable. Burke.
"definable": Capable of being defined, limited, or explained; determinable; describable by definition; ascertainable; as, definable limits; definable distinctions or regulations; definable words. -- De*fin"a*bly, adv.
Difficulty: 16.49
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6148
But
after
a
while
I
realised
that
the
demarcations,
like
so
many
other
long
and
short
lines
of
division
in
the
complex,
culturally
polyglot
city,
were
not
as
rigid
as
they’d
seemed.
1069
cajoling
prev
next
Definition (cajole)
Definition (cajole)
To deceive with flattery or fair words; to wheedle. I am not about to cajole or flatter you into a reception of my views. F. W. Robertson. Syn. -- To flatter; wheedle; delude; coax; entrap.
"entrap": To catch in a trap; to insnare; hence, to catch, as in a trap, by artifices; to involve in difficulties or distresses; to catch or involve in contradictions; as, to be entrapped by the devices of evil men. A golden mesh, to entrap the hearts of men. Shak. Syn. -- To insnare; inveigle; tangle; decoy; entangle.
"wheedle": 1. To entice by soft words; to cajole; to flatter; to coax. The unlucky art of wheedling fools. Dryden. And wheedle a world that loves him not. Tennyson. 2. To grain, or get away, by flattery. A deed of settlement of the best part of her estate, which I wheedled out of her. Congreve.
To flatter; to coax; to cajole.
Difficulty: 16.49
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6749
They
forced
the
second
bottle
on
him,
roughly
insistent,
but
cajoling
him
with
jokes
and
pats
on
the
back.
1070
handrails
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.49
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8394
We
climbed
the
wide
stairs
to
the
second
floor,
our
footsteps
swallowed
by
thick
carpet
and
heavy
teakwood
newels
and
handrails.
1071
fatuous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Feeble in mind; weak; silly; stupid; foolish; fatuitous. Glanvill. 2. Without reality; illusory, like the ignis fatuus. Thence fatuous fires and meteors take their birth. Danham.
"fatuitous": Stupid; fatuous.
"illusory": Deceiving, or tending of deceive; fallacious; illusive; as, illusory promises or hopes.
Difficulty: 16.49
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8816
I
mean,
it’s
so
ridiculous,
so
fatuous,
it’s
hard
to
take
it
seriously.’
1072
cajoled
prev
next
Definition (cajole)
Definition (cajole)
To deceive with flattery or fair words; to wheedle. I am not about to cajole or flatter you into a reception of my views. F. W. Robertson. Syn. -- To flatter; wheedle; delude; coax; entrap.
"entrap": To catch in a trap; to insnare; hence, to catch, as in a trap, by artifices; to involve in difficulties or distresses; to catch or involve in contradictions; as, to be entrapped by the devices of evil men. A golden mesh, to entrap the hearts of men. Shak. Syn. -- To insnare; inveigle; tangle; decoy; entangle.
"wheedle": 1. To entice by soft words; to cajole; to flatter; to coax. The unlucky art of wheedling fools. Dryden. And wheedle a world that loves him not. Tennyson. 2. To grain, or get away, by flattery. A deed of settlement of the best part of her estate, which I wheedled out of her. Congreve.
To flatter; to coax; to cajole.
Difficulty: 16.49
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9112
Khaled
Fattah
said
nothing
more,
despite
the
artful
urgings
of
Abdul
Ghani,
who
teased
and
cajoled
him
several
times
before
finally
giving
up
the
attempt,
visibly
piqued
by
the
stubborn
refusal.
1073
wellspring
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A fountain; a spring; a source of continual supply. Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it; but the instruction of fools is folly. Prov. xvi. 22.
Difficulty: 16.49
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9634
He
brought
her
the
truth
of
his
brave
heart,
and
the
mischievous,
awe-struck
wonder
that
was
the
wellspring
of
his
laughter,
and
of
that
sky-wide
smile.
1074
centrepiece
prev
next
Definition
Definition
An ornament to be placed in the center, as of a table, ceiling, atc.; a central article or figure.
Difficulty: 16.49
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9687
The
fountain
that
I’d
heard
from
the
meeting
room,
where
we’d
talked
about
suffering,
was
the
centrepiece.
1075
dartboards
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.49
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18919
‘The
hotel,’
the
driver
said,
sliding
his
glasses
down
over
the
dartboards
of
his
eyes.
1076
conscripts
prev
next
Definition (conscript)
Definition (conscript)
Enrolled; written; registered. Conscript fathers (Rom. Antiq.), the senators of ancient Rome. When certain new senators were first enrolled with the "fathers" the body was called Patres et Conscripti; afterward all were called Patres conscripti.
One taken by lot, or compulsorily enrolled, to serve as a soldier or sailor.
To enroll, by compulsion, for military service.
"compulsorily": ; by force or constraint.
Difficulty: 16.49
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 22971
The
soldiers
and
even
the
officers
of
the
Afghan
army,
however,
were
a
different
matter:
they
were
kinsmen,
many
of
them
conscripts,
doing
what
they
had
to
do
in
order
to
survive.
1077
thatched
prev
next
Definition (thatch)
Definition (thatch)
1. Straw, rushes, or the like, used for making or covering the roofs of buildings, or of stacks of hay or grain. 2. (Bot.) A name in the West Indies for several kinds of palm, the leaves of which are used for thatching. Thatch sparrow, the house sparrow. [Prov. Eng.]
To cover with, or with a roof of, straw, reeds, or some similar substance; as, to thatch a roof, a stable, or a stack of grain.
"thatching": 1. The act or art of covering buildings with thatch; so as to keep out rain, snow, etc. 2. The materials used for this purpose; thatch.
Difficulty: 16.48
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3659
The
roofs
were
made
with
little
domes
of
thatched
grasses.
1078
dialectic
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Same as Dialectics. Plato placed his dialectic above all sciences. Liddell & Scott.
1. Pertaining to dialectics; logical; argumental. 2. Pertaining to a dialect or to dialects. Earle.
"argumental": Of, pertaining to, or containing, argument; argumentative.
"dialectics": That branch of logic which teaches the rules and modes of reasoning; the application of logical principles to discursive reasoning; the science or art of discriminating truth from error; logical discussion. Note: Dialectics was defined by Aristotle to be the method of arguing with probability on any given problem, and of defending a tenet without inconsistency. By Plato, it was used in the following senses: 1. Discussion by dialogue as a method of scientific investigation. 2. The method of investigating the truth by analysis. 3. The science of ideas or of the nature and laws of being -- higher metaphysics. By Kant, it was employed to signify the logic of appearances or illusions, whether these arise from accident or error, or from those necessary limitations which, according to this philosopher, originate in the constitution of the human intellect.
Difficulty: 16.47
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1379
Yet
a
peculiar
dialectic
applied
to
the
relationships
between
upstairs
and
down,
inside
and
outside
the
restaurant,
and
governed
all
of
the
business
transacted
there.
1079
acolyte
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. (Eccl.) One who has received the highest of the four minor orders in the Catholic church, being ordained to carry the wine and water and the lights at the Mass. 2. One who attends; an assistant. "With such chiefs, and with James and John as acolytes." Motley.
Difficulty: 16.47
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4594
One
of
the
Standing
Babas
approached
us
slowly
with
an
acolyte
who
held
a
silver
tray
containing
chillums,
charras,
and
the
paraphernalia
of
smoking.
1080
knobby
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Full of, or covered with, knobs or hard protuberances. Dr. H. More. 2. Irregular; stubborn in particulars. [Obs.] The informers continued in a knobby kind of obstinacy. Howell. 3. Abounding in rounded hills or mountains; hilly. [U.S.] Bartlett.
Difficulty: 16.47
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6315
His
lips
and
the
lower
part
of
his
face
were
eaten
away
to
a
hard,
knobby
ridge
of
dark
flesh
that
extended
downwards
from
the
cheeks
to
the
hinges
of
his
jaw.
1081
irreverently
prev
next
Definition
Definition
In an irreverent manner.
Difficulty: 16.47
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9124
He
was
especially,
irreverently,
affectionate
with
Khaderbhai,
and
it
was
certain
that
they
were
close
friends.
1082
arthritic
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Pertaining to the joints. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne. 2. Of or pertaining to arthritis; gouty. Cowper.
"gouty": 1. Diseased with, or subject to, the gout; as, a gouty person; a gouty joint. 2. Pertaining to the gout. "Gouty matter." Blackmore. 3. Swollen, as if from gout. Derham. 4. Boggy; as, gouty land. [Obs.] Spenser. Gouty bronchitis, bronchitis arising as a secondary disease during the progress of gout. -- Gouty concretions, calculi (urate of sodium) formed in the joints, kidneys, etc., of sufferers from gout. -- Gouty kidney, an affection occurring during the progress of gout, the kidney shriveling and containing concretions of urate of sodium.
Difficulty: 16.47
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20652
Khaled
pressed
a
folded
bank
note
into
the
man’s
calloused,
arthritic
hand.
1083
irreverent
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Not reverent; showing a want of reverence; expressive of a want of veneration; as, an irreverent babbler; an irreverent jest.
"reverent": 1. Disposed to revere; impressed with reverence; submissive; humble; respectful; as, reverent disciples. "They . . . prostrate fell before him reverent." Milton. 2. Expressing reverence, veneration, devotion, or submission; as, reverent words; reverent behavior. Joye.
"babbler": 1. An idle talker; an irrational prater; a teller of secrets. Great babblers, or talkers, are not fit for trust. L'Estrange. 2. A hound too noisy on finding a good scent. 3. (Zoöl.) A name given to any one of family (Timalinæ) of thrushlike birds, having a chattering note.
Difficulty: 16.47
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23008
He’d
been
a
favourite
of
Khaderbhai’s
for
his
jokes
and
irreverent
satires
of
pompous
mullahs
and
local
political
figures.
1084
nameplate
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.47
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 370
He
tossed
the
key
and
its
heavy
brass
nameplate
across
the
desk
to
me.
1085
coronets
prev
next
Definition (coronet)
Definition (coronet)
1. An ornamental or honorary headdress, having the shape and character of a crown; particularly, a crown worn as the mark of high rank lower than sovereignty. The word is used by Shakespeare to denote also a kingly crown. Without a star, a coronet, or garter. Goldsmith. Note: The coronet of the Prince of Wales consist of a circlet of gold with four crosses pattée around the edge between as many fleurs-de- lis. The center crosses are connected by an arch which is surmounted by a globe or cross. The coronet of a British duke is adorned with strawberry leaves; that of a marquis has leaves with pearls interposed; that of an earl raises the pearls above the leaves; that of a viscount is surrounded with pearls only; that of a baron has only four pearls. 2. (Far.) The upper part of a horse's hoof, where the horn terminates in skin. James White. 3. (Anc. Armor) The iron head of a tilting spear; a coronel. Crose.
"circlet": 1. A little circle; esp., an ornament for the person, having the form of a circle; that which encircles, as a ring, a bracelet, or a headband. Her fair locks in circlet be enrolled. Spenser. 2. A round body; an orb. Pope. Fairest of stars . . . that crown'st the smiling morn With thy bright circlet. Milton. 3. A circular piece of wood put under a dish at table. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
"coronel": A colonel. [Obs.] Spenser.
The iron head of a tilting spear, divided into two, three, or four blunt points. [Written also cronel.] Grose.
"denote": 1. To mark out plainly; to signify by a visible sign; to serve as the sign or name of; to indicate; to point out; as, the hands of the clock denote the hour. The better to denote her to the doctor. Shak. 2. To be the sign of; to betoken; to signify; to mean. A general expression to denote wickedness of every sort. Gilpin.
"surmounted": 1. (Arch.) Having its vertical height greater than the half span; -- said of an arch. 2. (Her.) Partly covered by another charge; -- said of an ordinary or other bearing.
"kingly": Belonging to, suitable to, or becoming, a king; characteristic of, resembling, a king; directed or administered by a king; monarchical; royal; sovereign; regal; august; noble; grand. "Kingly magnificence." Sir P. Sidney. "A kingly government." Swift. "The kingly couch." Shak. The kingliest kings are crowned with thorn. G. Massey. Leave kingly backs to cope with kingly cares. Cowper. Syn. -- Regal; royal; monarchical; imperial; august; sovereign; noble; splendid. -- Kingly, Regal. Kingly is Anglo-Saxon, and refers especially to the character of a king; regal is Latin, and now relates more to his office. The former is chiefly used of dispositions, feelings, and purposes which are kinglike; as, kingly sentiments; kingly condescension; " a kingly heart for enterprises." Sir P. Sidney. The latter is oftener applied to external state, pomp, etc.; as, regal state, regal title, etc. This distinction is not observed by our early writers, but is gaining ground.
In a kingly or kinglike manner. Shak. Low bowed the rest; he, kingly, did but nod. Pore. Note: Although this citation, one from Paradise Lost, and one from Shakespeare's ll4th Sonnet are given by lexicographers as examples of adverbial use, it is by no means clear that the word is not an adjective in each instance.
Difficulty: 16.47
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8365
The
heavy
stone
architraves
over
the
door
and
windows
had
been
chiselled
into
coronets
of
five-pointed
stars.
1086
anthologies
prev
next
Definition (anthology)
Definition (anthology)
1. A discourses on flowers. [R.] 2. A collection of flowers; a garland. [R.] 3. A collection of flowers of literature, that is, beautiful passages from authors; a collection of poems or epigrams; -- particularly applied to a collection of ancient Greek epigrams. 4. (Gr. Ch.) A service book containing a selection of pieces for the festival services.
Difficulty: 16.47
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 10279
Some
had
been
copied
out
from
selections
and
anthologies
and
even
newspapers,
with
the
source
and
the
poet’s
name
written
beneath.
1087
megalithic
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.46
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7557
We’d
reached
the
perimeter
of
the
legal
slum,
and
the
megalithic
immensity
of
the
twin
skyscrapers
loomed
before
us.
1088
judiciousness
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The quality or state of being judicious; sagacity; s
"sagacity": The quality of being sagacious; quickness or acuteness of sense perceptions; keenness of discernment or penetration with soundness of judgment; shrewdness. Some [brutes] show that nice sagacity of smell. Cowper. Natural sagacity improved by generous education. V. Knox. Syn. -- Penetration; shrewdness; judiciousness. -- Sagacity, Penetration. Penetration enables us to enter into the depths of an abstruse subject, to detect motives, plans, etc. Sagacity adds to penetration a keen, practical judgment, which enables one to guard against the designs of others, and to turn everything to the best possible advantage.
Difficulty: 16.46
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17882
He
inspired
fear
in
most
of
the
men
and,
not
burdened
with
judiciousness,
he
confused
that
fear
with
respect.
1089
crevasse
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. A deep crevice or fissure, as in embankment; one of the clefts or fissure by which the mass of a glacier is divided. 2. A breach in the levee or embankment of a river, caused by the pressure of the water, as on the lower Mississippi. [U.S.]
Difficulty: 16.46
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21332
I
put
one
set
of
fingertips
on
the
edge
of
the
stony
path
and
then
choked
a
scream
as
I
slipped
backwards
into
the
dark
crevasse.
1090
circumspect
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Attentive to all the circustances of a case or the probable consequences of an action; cautious; prudent; wary. Syn. -- See Cautious.
Difficulty: 16.45
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1361
Mirrors
on
those
pillars,
and
on
much
of
the
free
wall
space,
provided
the
patrons
with
one
of
the
bar’s
major
attractions:
the
chance
to
inspect,
admire,
and
ogle
others
in
a
circumspect
if
not
entirely
anonymous
fashion.
1091
vacuous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Empty; unfilled; void; vacant. Boundless the deep, because I am who fill Infinitude; nor vacuous the space. Milton. That the few may lead selfish and vacuous days. J. Morley.
"infinitude": 1. The quality or state of being infinite, or without limits; infiniteness. 2. Infinite extent; unlimited space; immensity; infinity. "I am who fill infinitude." Milton. As pleasing to the fancy, as speculations of eternity or infinitude are to the understanding. Addison. 3. Boundless number; countless multitude. "An infinitude of distinctions." Addison.
Difficulty: 16.45
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2644
Lettie’s
gaze
was
seductive,
direct,
self-assured,
and
sparkling
with
ironies
and
secrets,
while
Ulla’s
wide
blue
eyes,
for
all
the
make-up
and
clothing
of
her
professional
sexuality,
showed
nothing
but
innocence—honest,
vacuous
innocence.
1092
imperceptibly
prev
next
Definition (imperceptible)
Definition (imperceptible)
Not perceptible; not to be apprehended or cognized by the souses; not discernible by the mind; not easily apprehended. Almost imperceptible to the touch. Dryden. Its operation is slow, and in some cases almost imperceptible. Burke. -- Im`per*cep"ti*ble*ness, n. -- Im`per*cep"ti*bly, adv. Their . . . subility and imperceptibleness. Sir M. Hale.
"discernible": Capable of being discerned by the eye or the understanding; as, a star is discernible by the eye; the identity of difference of ideas is discernible by the understanding. The effect of the privations and sufferings . . . was discernible to the last in his temper and deportment. Macaulay. Syn. -- Perceptible; distinguishable; apparent; visible; evident; manifest.
"perceptible": Capable of being perceived; cognizable; discernible; perceivable. With a perceptible blast of the air. Bacon. -- Per*cep"ti*ble*ness, n. -- Per*cep"ti*bly, adv.
Difficulty: 16.45
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9172
Two
fingers
on
the
child’s
hands
were
joined,
imperceptibly,
to
make
just
one
thick
finger
between
the
index
and
middle
fingers.
1093
dishearteningly
prev
next
Definition (dishearten)
Definition (dishearten)
To discourage; to deprive of courage and hope; to depress the spirits of; to deject. Regiments . . . utterly disorganized and disheartened. Macaulay. Syn. -- To dispirit; discourage; depress; deject; deter; terrify.
"deject": 1. To cast down. [Obs. or Archaic] Christ dejected himself even unto the hells. Udall. Sometimes she dejects her eyes in a seeming civility; and many mistake in her a cunning for a modest look. Fuller. 2. To cast down the spirits of; to dispirit; to discourage; to dishearten. Nor think, to die dejects my lofty mind. Pope.
Dejected. [Obs.]
"dispirit": 1. To deprive of cheerful spirits; to depress the spirits of; to dishearten; to discourage. Not dispirited with my afflictions. Dryden. He has dispirited himself by a debauch. Collier. 2. To distill or infuse the spirit of. [Obs. or R.] This makes a man master of his learning, and dispirits the book into the scholar. Fuller. Syn. -- To dishearten; discourage; deject; damp; depress; cast down; intimidate; daunt; cow.
Difficulty: 16.45
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 19436
Whatever
the
reason,
I
felt
dishearteningly
alone
in
the
city.
1094
imperceptible
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Not perceptible; not to be apprehended or cognized by the souses; not discernible by the mind; not easily apprehended. Almost imperceptible to the touch. Dryden. Its operation is slow, and in some cases almost imperceptible. Burke. -- Im`per*cep"ti*ble*ness, n. -- Im`per*cep"ti*bly, adv. Their . . . subility and imperceptibleness. Sir M. Hale.
"discernible": Capable of being discerned by the eye or the understanding; as, a star is discernible by the eye; the identity of difference of ideas is discernible by the understanding. The effect of the privations and sufferings . . . was discernible to the last in his temper and deportment. Macaulay. Syn. -- Perceptible; distinguishable; apparent; visible; evident; manifest.
"perceptible": Capable of being perceived; cognizable; discernible; perceivable. With a perceptible blast of the air. Bacon. -- Per*cep"ti*ble*ness, n. -- Per*cep"ti*bly, adv.
Difficulty: 16.45
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 22765
It
was
a
gesture
so
subtle
that
it
would’ve
been
imperceptible
to
an
observer,
but
we
both
knew
what
we’d
acknowledged
and
what
we’d
agreed
upon
with
that
little
nod.
1095
immodesty
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Want of modesty, delicacy, or decent reserve; indecency. "A piece of immodesty." Pope.
Difficulty: 16.45
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1635
If
you
will
allow
me
the
small
immodesty,
this
makes
him
a
truly
remarkable
individual,
for
I
have
met
a
great
many
interesting
men
in
my
life.’
1096
populous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Abounding in people; full of inhabitants; containing many inhabitants in proportion to the extent of the country. Heaven, yet populous, retains Number sufficient to possess her realms. Milton. 2. Popular; famous. [Obs.] J. Webster. 3. Common; vulgar. [Obs.] Arden of Feversham. 4. Numerous; in large number. [Obs.] "The dust . . . raised by your populous troops." Shak. -- Pop"u*lous*ly, adv. -- Pop"u*lous*ness, n.
Difficulty: 16.45
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8118
An
orange
banner
hanging
from
the
dashboard
of
the
car
proclaimed
that
the
driver,
like
many
others
in
Bombay,
was
from
Uttar
Pradesh,
a
large
and
populous
state
in
India’s
north-east.
1097
bronchial
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Belonging to the bronchi and their ramifications in the lungs. Bronchial arteries, branches of the descending aorta, accompanying the bronchia in all their ramifications. -- Bronchial cells, the air cells terminating the bronchia. -- Bronchial glands, glands whose functions are unknown, seated along the bronchia. -- Bronchial membrane, the mucous membrane lining the bronchia. -- Bronchial tube, the bronchi, or the bronchia.
"mucous": 1. Of, pertaining to, or resembling, mucus; slimy, ropy, or stringy, and lubricous; as, a mucous substance. 2. Secreting a slimy or mucigenous substance; as, the mucous membrane. Mucous membrane. (Anat.) See under Membrane. -- Mucous patches (Med.), elevated patches found in the mucous membranes of the mouth and anus, usually due to syphilis. -- Mucous tissue (Anat.), a form of connective tissue in an early stage of development, found in the umbilical cord and in the embryo, and also in certain tumors called myxomata.
"bronchi": See Bronchus.
"bronchia": The bronchial tubes which arise from the branching of the trachea, esp. the subdivision of the bronchi. Dunglison.
Difficulty: 16.45
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8422
It
was
a
gurgling,
bronchial
laugh.
1098
disembowel
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. To take or let out the bowels or interior parts of; to eviscerate. Soon after their death, they are disemboweled. Cook. Roaring floods and cataracts that sweep From disemboweled earth the virgin gold. Thomson. 2. To take or draw from the body, as the web of a spider. [R.] "Her disemboweled web." J. Philips.
"eviscerate": To take out the entrails of; to disembowel; to gut.
Difficulty: 16.45
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8853
‘They’re
supposed
to
love
their
enemies,
not
disembowel
them!’
1099
marsupial
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. (Zoöl.) Having a pouch for carrying the immature young; of or pertaining to the Marsupialia. 2. (Anat. & Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to a marsupium; as, the marsupial bones. Marsupial frog. (Zoöl.) See Nototrema.
One of the Marsupialia.
"marsupium": (a) The pouch, formed by a fold of the skin of the abdomen, in which marsupials carry their young; also, a pouch for similar use in other animals, as certain Crustacea. (b) The pecten in the eye of birds and reptiles. See Pecten.
"marsupialia": A subclass of Mammalia, including nearly all the mammals of Australia and the adjacent islands, together with the opossums of America. They differ from ordinary mammals in having the corpus callosum very small, in being implacental, and in having their young born while very immature. The female generally carries the young for some time after birth in an external pouch, or marsupium. Called also Marsupiata.
"nototrema": The pouched, or marsupial, frog of South America.
Difficulty: 16.44
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 238
The
shorter
man
even
removed
his
watch,
and
it,
too,
joined
the
currency,
passport,
and
other
valuables
in
the
marsupial
pouch
of
his
underpants.
1100
infinitesimally
prev
next
Definition
Definition
By infinitesimals; in infinitely small quantities; in an infinitesimal degree.
Difficulty: 16.44
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18650
Some
things,
like
the
background
sound
of
a
bird
chirping
as
it
passes
your
house
in
the
evening,
or
a
flower
glimpsed
out
of
the
corner
of
an
eye,
have
such
an
infinitesimally
small
effect
that
you
can’t
detect
them.
1101
rucked
prev
next
Definition (ruck)
Definition (ruck)
A roc. [Obs. or prov. Eng.] Drayton.
To draw into wrinkles or unsightly folds; to crease; as, to ruck up a carpet. Smart.
A wrinkle or crease in a piece of cloth, or in needlework.
To cower; to huddle together; to squat; to sit, as a hen on eggs. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Gower. South. The sheep that rouketh in the fold. Chaucer.
1. A heap; a rick. [Prov Eng. & Scot.] 2. The common sort, whether persons or things; as, the ruck in a horse race. [Colloq.] The ruck in society as a whole. Lond. Sat. Rev.
"needlework": 1. Work executed with a needle; sewed work; sewing; embroidery; also, the business of a seamstress. 2. The combination of timber and plaster making the outside framework of some houses.
"lond": Land. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Difficulty: 16.44
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23655
Habib’s
pattu
shawl
was
rucked
up
around
his
chest.
1102
scrawled
prev
next
Definition (scrawl)
Definition (scrawl)
See Crawl. [Obs.] Latimer.
To draw or mark awkwardly and irregularly; to write hastily and carelessly; to scratch; to scribble; as, to scrawl a letter. His name, scrawled by himself. Macaulay.
To write unskillfully and inelegantly. Though with a golden pen you scrawl. Swift.
Unskillful or inelegant writing; that which is unskillfully or inelegantly written. The left will make such a scrawl, that it will not be legible. Arbuthnot. You bid me write no more than a scrawl to you. Gray.
"inelegantly": In an inelegant manner.
"inelegant": Not elegant; deficient in beauty, polish, refinement, grave, or ornament; wanting in anything which correct taste requires. What order so contrived as not to mix Tastes, not well joined, inelegant. Milton. It renders style often obscure, always embarrassed and inelegant. Blair.
"unskillful": 1. Not skillful; inexperienced; awkward; bungling; as, an unskillful surgeon or mechanic; an unskillful logician. 2. Lacking discernment; injudicious; ignorant. Though it make the unskillful laugh, can not but make the judicious grieve. Shak. -- Un*skill"ful*ly, adv. -- Un*skill"ful*ness, n.
"irregularly": In an irregular manner.
Difficulty: 16.44
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24594
The
scrawled
eyebrows
were
larger
than
the
real
ones.
1103
ingratiating
prev
next
Definition (ingratiate)
Definition (ingratiate)
1. To introduce or commend to the favor of another; to bring into favor; to insinuate; -- used reflexively, and followed by with before the person whose favor is sought. Lysimachus . . . ingratiated himself both with Philip and his pupil. Budgell. 2. To recommend; to render easy or agreeable; -- followed by to. [Obs.] Dr. J. Scott. What difficulty would it [the love of Christ] not ingratiate to us Hammond.
To gain favor. [R.] Sir W. Temple.
Difficulty: 16.43
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11509
For
the
two
days
while
my
neighbour
Radha
lay
dying,
I’d
been
ingratiating
myself
with
tourist
customers
in
their
five-star
hotel.
1104
populist
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A member of the People's party. -- Pop`u*lis"tic (#), a.
Difficulty: 16.43
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17170
‘You’re
moving
in
powerful
circles,’
I
said,
recalling
photos
of
the
populist
politician.
1105
instinctual
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.42
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 1282
But
even
as
a
fugitive,
writing
was
still
a
daily
custom
and
part
of
my
instinctual
routine.
1106
encompassing
prev
next
Definition (encompass)
Definition (encompass)
To circumscribe or go round so as to surround closely; to encircle; to inclose; to environ; as, a ring encompasses the finger; an army encompasses a city; a voyage encompassing the world. Shak. A question may be encompassed with difficulty. C. J. Smith. The love of all thy sons encompass thee. Tennyson. Syn. -- To encircle; inclose; surround; include; environ; invest; hem in; shut up.
"encircle": To form a circle about; to inclose within a circle or ring; to surround; as, to encircle one in the arms; the army encircled the city. Her brows encircled with his serpent rod. Parnell. Syn. -- To encompass; surround; environ; inclose.
"environ": To surround; to encompass; to encircle; to hem in; to be round about; to involve or envelop. Dwelling in a pleasant glade, With mountains round about environed. Spenser. Environed he was with many foes. Shak. Environ me with darkness whilst I write. Donne.
About; around. [Obs.] Lord Godfrey's eye three times environ goes. Fairfax.
"inclose": 1. To surround; to shut in; to confine on all sides; to include; to shut up; to encompass; as, to inclose a fort or an army with troops; to inclose a town with walls. How many evils have inclosed me round! Milton. 2. To put within a case, envelope, or the like; to fold (a thing) within another or into the same parcel; as, to inclose a letter or a bank note. The inclosed copies of the treaty. Sir W. Temple. 3. To separate from common grounds by a fence; as, to inclose lands. Blackstone. 4. To put into harness; to harness. [Obs.] They went to coach and their horse inclose. Chapman.
"circumscribe": 1. to write or engare around. [R.] Thereon is circumscribed this epitaph. Ashmole. 2. To inclose within a certain limit; to hem in; to surround; to bound; to confine; to restrain. To circumscribe royal power. Bancroft. 3. (Geom.) To draw a line around si as to touch at certain points without cutting. See Inscribe, 5. Syn. -- To bound; limit; restrict; confine; abridge; restrain; environ; encircle; inclose; encompass.
Difficulty: 16.42
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3815
Even
with
the
escape
from
prison,
and
the
flight,
running
and
hiding
as
a
wanted
man,
a
hunted
man
with
a
price
on
my
head—even
then,
there
was
no
final,
clear,
encompassing
grasp
of
the
acts
and
the
consequences
that
made
up
the
new,
bitter
story
of
my
life.
1107
propitious
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Convenient; auspicious; favorable; kind; as, a propitious season; a propitious breeze. 2. Hence, kind; gracious; merciful; helpful; -- said of a person or a divinity. Milton. And now t' assuage the force of this new flame, And make thee [Love] more propitious in my need. Spenser. Syn. -- Auspicious; favorable; kind. -- Propitious, Auspicious. Auspicious (from the ancient idea of auspices, or omens) denotes "indicative of success," or "favored by incidental occurrences;" as, an auspicious opening; an auspicious event. Propitious denotes that which efficaciously protect us in some undertaking, speeds our exertions, and decides our success; as, propitious gales; propitious influences. -- Pro*pi"tious*ly, adv. -- Pro*pi"tious*ness, n.
"assuage": To soften, in a figurative sense; to allay, mitigate, ease, or lessen, as heat, pain, or grief; to appease or pacify, as passion or tumult; to satisfy, as appetite or desire. Refreshing winds the summer's heat assuage. Addison. To assuage the sorrows of a desolate old man Burke. The fount at which the panting mind assuages Her thirst of knowledge. Byron. Syn. -- To alleviate; mitigate; appease; soothe; calm; tranquilize; relieve. See Alleviate.
To abate or subside. [Archaic] "The waters assuaged." Gen. vii. 1. The plague being come to a crisis, its fury began to assuage. De Foe.
Difficulty: 16.42
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15912
It
was
a
propitious
start
to
the
new
friendship.
1108
encompass
prev
next
Definition
Definition
To circumscribe or go round so as to surround closely; to encircle; to inclose; to environ; as, a ring encompasses the finger; an army encompasses a city; a voyage encompassing the world. Shak. A question may be encompassed with difficulty. C. J. Smith. The love of all thy sons encompass thee. Tennyson. Syn. -- To encircle; inclose; surround; include; environ; invest; hem in; shut up.
"encircle": To form a circle about; to inclose within a circle or ring; to surround; as, to encircle one in the arms; the army encircled the city. Her brows encircled with his serpent rod. Parnell. Syn. -- To encompass; surround; environ; inclose.
"environ": To surround; to encompass; to encircle; to hem in; to be round about; to involve or envelop. Dwelling in a pleasant glade, With mountains round about environed. Spenser. Environed he was with many foes. Shak. Environ me with darkness whilst I write. Donne.
About; around. [Obs.] Lord Godfrey's eye three times environ goes. Fairfax.
"inclose": 1. To surround; to shut in; to confine on all sides; to include; to shut up; to encompass; as, to inclose a fort or an army with troops; to inclose a town with walls. How many evils have inclosed me round! Milton. 2. To put within a case, envelope, or the like; to fold (a thing) within another or into the same parcel; as, to inclose a letter or a bank note. The inclosed copies of the treaty. Sir W. Temple. 3. To separate from common grounds by a fence; as, to inclose lands. Blackstone. 4. To put into harness; to harness. [Obs.] They went to coach and their horse inclose. Chapman.
"circumscribe": 1. to write or engare around. [R.] Thereon is circumscribed this epitaph. Ashmole. 2. To inclose within a certain limit; to hem in; to surround; to bound; to confine; to restrain. To circumscribe royal power. Bancroft. 3. (Geom.) To draw a line around si as to touch at certain points without cutting. See Inscribe, 5. Syn. -- To bound; limit; restrict; confine; abridge; restrain; environ; encircle; inclose; encompass.
Difficulty: 16.42
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17427
Their
artistic
vision
must
encompass
the
deliberate
creative
smudge
that
gives
each
page
its
counterfeit
authenticity,
no
less
than
the
accuracy
of
altered
or
manufactured
details.
1109
chronology
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The science which treats of measuring time by regular divisions or periods, and which assigns to events or transactions their proper dates. If history without chronology is dark and confused, chronology without history is dry and insipid. A. Holmes.
Difficulty: 16.42
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18147
She
skipped
important
details
from
time
to
time,
and
she
was
loose
with
her
chronology,
ordering
the
facts
as
they
occurred
to
her
in
the
telling
rather
than
as
they’d
happened.
1110
cachet
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A seal, as of a letter. Lettre de cachet Etym: [F.], a sealed letter, especially a letter or missive emanating from the sovereign; -- much used in France before the Revolution as an arbitrary order of imprisonment.
"etym": See Etymon. H. F. Talbot.
"missive": 1. Specially sent; intended or prepared to be sent; as, a letter missive. Ayliffe. 2. Missile. "The missive weapons fly." Dryden. Letters missive, letters conveying the permission, comand, or advice of a superior authority, as a sovereign. They are addressed and sent to some certain person or persons, and are distinguished from letters patent, which are addressed to the public.
1. That which is sent; a writing containing a message. 2. One who is sent; a messenger. [Obs.] Shak.
Difficulty: 16.42
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18699
There
was
a
certain
reciprocal
cachet
in
the
connection:
the
filmi
types,
as
they
were
known
in
Bollywood,
found
it
exhilarating
to
be
associated,
at
a
safe
distance,
with
the
notorious
mafia
don,
and
the
Khan
himself
wasn’t
indifferent
to
the
glamour
that
laminated
the
movie
world.
1111
crawlspace
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.42
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20097
In
the
meanwhile,
in
that
black,
tortured
crawlspace
of
one
to
two
weeks
without
heroin
and
without
endorphins,
we
learn
what
anxiety
and
stress
and
pain
really
are.
1112
headscarf
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.42
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2331
The
woman
wiped
his
face
with
a
corner
of
her
headscarf,
and
held
the
cloth
out
for
me
to
see
the
bright
stain
of
blood.
1113
eviscerated
prev
next
Definition (eviscerate)
Definition (eviscerate)
To take out the entrails of; to disembowel; to gut.
"disembowel": 1. To take or let out the bowels or interior parts of; to eviscerate. Soon after their death, they are disemboweled. Cook. Roaring floods and cataracts that sweep From disemboweled earth the virgin gold. Thomson. 2. To take or draw from the body, as the web of a spider. [R.] "Her disemboweled web." J. Philips.
Difficulty: 16.41
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 855
He
sat
behind
a
solid
wooden
counter,
surrounded
by
bomb-blast
radios,
eviscerated
cassette
players,
and
boxes
of
parts.
1114
languid
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Drooping or flagging from exhaustion; indisposed to exertion; without animation; weak; weary; heavy; dull. " Languid, powerless limbs. " Armstrong. Fire their languid souls with Cato's virtue. Addison. 2. Slow in progress; tardy. " No motion so swift or languid." Bentley. 3. Promoting or indicating weakness or heaviness; as, a languid day. Feebly she laugheth in the languid moon. Keats. Their idleness, aimless and languid airs. W. Black. Syn. -- Feeble; weak; faint; sickly; pining; exhausted; weary; listless; heavy; dull; heartless. -- Lan"guid*ly, adv. -- Lan"guid*ness, n.
"flagging": A pavement or sidewalk of flagstones; flagstones, collectively.
Growing languid, weak, or spiritless; weakening; delaying. -- Flag"ging*ly, adv.
"listless": Having no desire or inclination; indifferent; heedless; spiritless. " A listless unconcern." Thomson. Benumbed with cold, and listless of their gain. Dryden. I was listless, and desponding. Swift. Syn. -- Heedless; careless; indifferent; vacant; uninterested; languid; spiritless; supine; indolent. -- List"less*ly, adv. -- List"less*ness, n.
"heaviness": The state or quality of being heavy in its various senses; weight; sadness; sluggishness; oppression; thickness.
"feebly": In a feeble manner. The restored church . . . contended feebly, and with half a heart. Macaulay.
Difficulty: 16.41
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12194
The
storm
was
easing,
and
the
breeze
that
had
stirred
the
languid
air
was
dying.
1115
aubergines
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.41
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15295
He
prepared
a
hearty
meal
of
cabbage
leaves
stuffed
with
potatoes,
green
beans
with
ginger,
aubergines
with
sour
green
chutney,
and
crisp-fried
okra.
1116
chagrin
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Vexation; mortification. I must own that I felt rather vexation and chagrin than hope and satisfaction. Richard Porson. Hear me, and touch Belinda with chagrin. Pope. Syn. -- Vexation; mortification; peevishness; fretfulness; disgust; disquiet. Chagrin, Vexation, Mortification. These words agree in the general sense of pain produced by untoward circumstances. Vexation is a feeling of disquietude or irritating uneasiness from numerous causes, such as losses, disappointments, etc. Mortification is a stronger word, and denotes that keen sense of pain which results fron wounded pride or humiliating occurrences. Chagrin is literally the cutting pain produced by the friction of Shagreen leather; in its figurative sense, it varies in meaning, denoting in its lower degrees simply a state of vexation, and its higher degrees the keenest sense of mortification. "Vexation arises chiefly fron our wishes and views being crossed: mortification, from our self-importance being hurt; chagrin, from a mixture of the two." Crabb.
To excite ill-humor in; to vex; to mortify; as, he was not a little chagrined.
To be vexed or annoyed. Fielding.
Chagrined. Dryden.
"uneasiness": 1. The quality or state of being uneasy; restlessness; disquietude; anxiety. 2. The quality of making uneasy; discomfort; as, the uneasiness of the road. [Obs.] Bp. Burnet.
"figurative": 1. Representing by a figure, or by resemblance; typical; representative. This, they will say, was figurative, and served, by God's appointment, but for a time, to shadow out the true glory of a more divine sanctity. Hooker. 2. Used in a sense that is tropical, as a metaphor; not literal; -- applied to words and expressions. 3. Ambounding in figures of speech; flowery; florid; as, a highly figurative description. 4. Relating to the representation of form or figure by drawing, carving, etc. See Figure, n., 2. They belonged to a nation dedicated to the figurative arts, and they wrote for a public familiar with painted form. J. A. Symonds. Figurative counterpointdescant. See under Figurate. -- Fig"ur*a*tive*ly, adv. -- Fig"ur*a*tive*ness, n.
"mortification": 1. The act of mortifying, or the condition of being mortified; especially: (a) (Med.) The death of one part of an animal body, while the rest continues to live; loss of vitality in some part of a living animal; gangrene. Dunglison. (b) (Alchem. & Old Chem.) Destruction of active qualities; neutralization. [Obs.] Bacon. (c) Subjection of the passions and appetites, by penance, absistence, or painful severities inflicted on the body. The mortification of our lusts has something in it that is troublesome, yet nothing that is unreasonable. Tillotson. (d) Hence: Deprivation or depression of self-approval; abatement or pride; humiliation; chagrin; vexation. We had the mortification to lose sight of Munich, Augsburg, and Ratisbon. Addison. 2. That which mortifies; the cause of humiliation, chagrin, or vexation. It is one of the vexatious mortifications of a studious man to have his thoughts discovered by a tedious visit. L'Estrange. 3. (Scots Law) A gift to some charitable or religious institution; -- nearly synonymous with mortmain. Syn. -- Chagrin; vexation; shame. See Chagrin.
"vexation": 1. The act of vexing, or the state of being vexed; agitation; disquiet; trouble; irritation. Passions too violent . . . afford us nothing but vexation and pain. Sir W. Temple. Those who saw him after a defeat looked in vain for any trace of vexation. Macaulay. 2. The cause of trouble or disquiet; affliction. Your children were vexation to your youth. Shak. 3. A harassing by process of law; a vexing or troubling, as by a malicious suit. Bacon. Syn. -- Chagrin; agitation; mortification; uneasiness; trouble; grief; sorrow; distress. See Chagrin.
"shagreen": To chagrin. [Obs.]
1. A kind of untanned leather prepared in Russia and the East, from the skins of horses, asses, and camels, and grained so as to be covered with small round granulations. This characteristic surface is produced by pressing small seeds into the grain or hair side when moist, and afterward, when dry, scraping off the roughness left between them, and then, by soaking, causing the portions of the skin which had been compressed or indented by the seeds to swell up into relief. It is used for covering small cases and boxes. 2. The skin of various small sharks and other fishes when having small, rough, bony scales. The dogfishes of the genus Scyllium furnish a large part of that used in the arts.
1. Made or covered with the leather called shagreen. "A shagreen case of lancets." T. Hook. 2. (Zoöl.) Covered with rough scales or points like those on shagreen.
"peevishness": The quality of being peevish; disposition to murmur; sourness of temper. Syn. -- See Petulance.
"mortify": 1. To destroy the organic texture and vital functions of; to produce gangrene in. 2. To destroy the active powers or essential qualities of; to change by chemical action. [Obs.] Chaucer. Quicksilver is mortified with turpentine. Bacon. He mortified pearls in vinegar. Hakewill. 3. To deaden by religious or other discipline, as the carnal affections, bodily appetites, or worldly desires; to bring into subjection; to abase; to humble. With fasting mortified, worn out with tears. Harte. Mortify thy learned lust. Prior. Mortify, rherefore, your members which are upon the earth. Col. iii. 5. 4. To affect with vexation, chagrin, or humiliation; to humble; to depress. The news of the fatal battle of Worcester, which exceedingly mortified our expectations. Evelyn. How often is the ambitious man mortified with the very praises he receives, if they do not rise so high as he thinks they ought! Addison.
1. To lose vitality and organic structure, as flesh of a living body; to gangrene. 2. To practice penance from religious motives; to deaden desires by religious discipline. This makes him ... give alms of all that he hath, watch, fast, and mortify. Law. 3. To be subdued; to decay, as appetites, desires, etc.
"disquiet": Deprived of quiet; impatient; restless; uneasy. [R.] Shak.
Want of quiet; want of tranquility in body or mind; uneasiness; restlessness; disturbance; anxiety. Swift.
To render unquiet; to deprive of peace, rest, or tranquility; to make uneasy or restless; to disturb. Why art thou cast down, O my soul, and why art thou disquieted within me Ps. xlii. 11. As quiet as these disquieted times will permit. Sir W. Scott. Syn. -- To harass; disturb; vex; fret; excite; agitate.
Difficulty: 16.41
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21293
I
noticed
with
deep
chagrin
that
Nazeer
was
one
of
the
men
walking.
1117
escarpments
prev
next
Definition (escarpment)
Definition (escarpment)
A steep descent or declivity; steep face or edge of a ridge; ground about a fortified place, cut away nearly vertically to prevent hostile approach. See Scarp.
"scarp": A band in the same position as the bend sinister, but only half as broad as the latter.
1. (Fort.) The slope of the ditch nearest the parapet; the escarp. 2. A steep descent or declivity.
To cut down perpendicularly, or nearly so; as, to scarp the face of a ditch or a rock. From scarped cliff and quarried stone. Tennyson. Sweep ruins from the scarped mountain. Emerson.
"declivity": 1. Deviation from a horizontal line; gradual descent of surface; inclination downward; slope; -- opposed to acclivity, or ascent; the same slope, considered as descending, being a declivity, which, considered as ascending, is an acclivity. 2. A descending surface; a sloping place. Commodious declivities and channels for the passage of the waters. Derham.
Difficulty: 16.41
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23102
The
other
was
found
cowering
in
a
blind
alcove
formed
between
high,
rocky
escarpments.
1118
sidestepped
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.41
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24663
I
sidestepped
and
slammed
a
hard,
short
right
hand
into
the
side
of
his
head,
but
he
reached
out
with
his
clawed
hand
as
he
fell,
and
clutched
at
my
trousers.
1119
sedimentary
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Of or pertaining to sediment; formed by sediment; containing matter that has subsided. Sedimentary rocks. (Geol.) See Aqueous rocks, under Aqueous.
"aqueous": 1. Partaking of the nature of water, or abounding with it; watery. The aqueous vapor of the air. Tyndall. 2. Made from, or by means of, water. An aqueous deposit. Dana. Aqueous extract, an extract obtained from a vegetable substance by steeping it in water. -- Aqueous humor (Anat.), one the humors of the eye; a limpid fluid, occupying the space between the crystalline lens and the cornea. (See Eye.) -- Aqueous rocks (Geol.), those which are deposited from water and lie in strata, as opposed to volcanic rocks, which are of igneous origin; -- called also sedimentary rocks.
Difficulty: 16.40
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 424
They
looked
at
one
another
and
exchanged
similar
expressions,
raising
their
foreheads
in
sedimentary
wrinkles
and
pursing
their
lips
as
Prabaker
pulled
the
piece
of
hashish
from
his
pocket.
1120
irrepressible
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Not capable of being repressed, restrained, or controlled; as, irrepressible joy; an irrepressible conflict. W. H. Steward.
Difficulty: 16.40
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3867
It
was
radiant,
and
suffused
with
an
irrepressible
good
humour.
1121
amputees
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.40
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 5359
Elderly
people,
amputees,
the
sick,
or
the
injured
didn’t
find
much
sympathy,
and
were
sometimes
forced
to
move
on
to
another
street,
but
they
weren’t
arrested.
1122
lawmen
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.40
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15520
He
was
a
young
guy
who
found
himself
on
the
wrong
side
of
the
local
lawmen.
1123
tributary
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Paying tribute to another, either from compulsion, as an acknowledgment of submission, or to secure protection, or for the purpose of purchasing peace. [Julius] unto Rome made them tributary. Chaucer. 2. Hence, subject; subordinate; inferior. He to grace his tributary gods. Milton. 3. Paid in tribute. "Tributary tears." Shak. 4. Yielding supplies of any kind; serving to form or make up, a greater object of the same kind, as a part, branch, etc.; contributing; as, the Ohio has many tributary streams, and is itself tributary to the Mississippi.
1. A ruler or state that pays tribute, or a stated sum, to a conquering power, for the purpose of securing peace and protection, or as an acknowledgment of submission, or for the purchase of security. 2. A stream or river flowing into a larger river or into a lake; an affluent.
"acknowledgment": 1. The act of acknowledging; admission; avowal; owning; confession. "An acknowledgment of fault." Froude. 2. The act of owning or recognized in a particular character or relationship; recognition as regards the existence, authority, truth, or genuineness. Immediately upon the acknowledgment of the Christian faith, the eunuch was baptized by Philip. Hooker. 3. The owning of a benefit received; courteous recognition; expression of thanks. Shak. 4. Something given or done in return for a favor, message, etc. Smollett. 5. A declaration or avowal of one's own act, to give it legal validity; as, the acknowledgment of a deed before a proper officer. Also, the certificate of the officer attesting such declaration. Acknowledgment money, in some parts of England, a sum paid by copyhold tenants, on the death of their landlords, as an acknowledgment of their new lords. Cowell. Syn. -- Confession; concession; recognition; admission; avowal; recognizance.
Difficulty: 16.40
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21202
THE
MAIN
ROAD
FROM
CHAMAN,
in
those
years,
crossed
a
tributary
of
the
Dhari
River
on
the
way
to
Spin
Baldak,
Dabrai,
and
Melkaarez
on
the
highway
route
to
Kandahar.
1124
tributaries
prev
next
Definition (tributary)
Definition (tributary)
1. Paying tribute to another, either from compulsion, as an acknowledgment of submission, or to secure protection, or for the purpose of purchasing peace. [Julius] unto Rome made them tributary. Chaucer. 2. Hence, subject; subordinate; inferior. He to grace his tributary gods. Milton. 3. Paid in tribute. "Tributary tears." Shak. 4. Yielding supplies of any kind; serving to form or make up, a greater object of the same kind, as a part, branch, etc.; contributing; as, the Ohio has many tributary streams, and is itself tributary to the Mississippi.
1. A ruler or state that pays tribute, or a stated sum, to a conquering power, for the purpose of securing peace and protection, or as an acknowledgment of submission, or for the purchase of security. 2. A stream or river flowing into a larger river or into a lake; an affluent.
"acknowledgment": 1. The act of acknowledging; admission; avowal; owning; confession. "An acknowledgment of fault." Froude. 2. The act of owning or recognized in a particular character or relationship; recognition as regards the existence, authority, truth, or genuineness. Immediately upon the acknowledgment of the Christian faith, the eunuch was baptized by Philip. Hooker. 3. The owning of a benefit received; courteous recognition; expression of thanks. Shak. 4. Something given or done in return for a favor, message, etc. Smollett. 5. A declaration or avowal of one's own act, to give it legal validity; as, the acknowledgment of a deed before a proper officer. Also, the certificate of the officer attesting such declaration. Acknowledgment money, in some parts of England, a sum paid by copyhold tenants, on the death of their landlords, as an acknowledgment of their new lords. Cowell. Syn. -- Confession; concession; recognition; admission; avowal; recognizance.
Difficulty: 16.40
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21723
Then,
exposed
to
the
wide
sky,
we
travelled
over
flatter
land
for
almost
fifty
kilometres
to
cross
the
Arghastan
River
and
its
tributaries
three
times
before
we
reached
the
foothills
of
the
Shahbad
Pass.
1125
cantankerous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Perverse; contentious; ugly; malicious. [Colloq.] -- Can*tan"ker*ous*ly, adv. -- Can*tan"ker*ous*ness, n. The cantankerous old maiden aunt. Theckeray.
Difficulty: 16.40
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27313
The
artist
was
notoriously
cantankerous
and
he
assumed,
at
first,
that
we
were
trying
to
mock
the
gods,
and
him,
with
a
prank
or
a
hoax.
1126
imperious
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Commanding; ascendant; imperial; lordly; majestic. [Obs.] "A vast and imperious mind." Tilloison. Therefore, great lords, be, as your titles witness, Imperious. Shak. 2. Haughly; arrogant; overbearing; as, an imperious tyrant; an imperious manner. This imperious man will work us all From princes into pages. Shak. His bold, contemptuous, and imperious spirit soon made him conspicuous. Macaulay. 3. Imperative; urgent; compelling. Imperious need, which can not be withstood. Dryden. Syn. -- Dictatorial; haughty; domineering; overbearing; lordly; tyrannical; despotic; arrogant; imperative; authoritative; commanding; pressing. -- Imperious, Lordly, Domineering. One who is imperious exercises his authority in a manner highly offensive for its spirit and tone; one who is lordly assumes a lofty air in order to display his importance; one who is domineering gives orders in a way to make other feel their inferiority.
"dictatorial": 1. Pertaining or suited to a dictator; absolute. Military powers quite dictatorial. W. Irving. 2. Characteristic of a dictator; imperious; dogmatical; overbearing; as, a dictatorial tone or manner. -- Dic`ta*to"ri*al*ly, adv. -- Dic`ta*to"ri*al*ness, n.
"lordly": 1. Suitable for a lord; of or pertaining to a lord; resembling a lord; hence, grand; noble; dignified; honorable. She brought forth butter in a lordly dish. Judges v. 25. Lordly sins require lordly estates to support them. South. The maidens gathered strength and grace And presence, lordlier than before. Tennyson. 2. Proud; haughty; imperious; insolent. Lords are lordliest in their wine. Milton. Syn. -- Imperious; haughty; overbearing; tyrannical; despotic; domineering; arrogant. See Imperious.
In a lordly manner.
"despotic": Having the character of, or pertaining to, a despot; absolute in power; possessing and abusing unlimited power; evincing despotism; tyrannical; arbitrary. -- Des*pot"ic*al*ly, adv. -- Des*pot"ic*al*ness, n.
"contemptuous": Manifecting or expressing contempt or disdain; scornful; haughty; insolent; disdainful. A proud, contemptious behavior. Hammond. Savage invectiveand contemptuous sarcasm. Macaulay. Rome . . . entertained the most contemptuous opinion of the Jews. Atterbury. Syn. -- Scornful; insolent; haughty; disdainful; supercilious; insulting; contumelious. -- Contemptuous, Contemptible. These words, from their similarity of sound, are sometimes erroneously interchanged, as when a person speaks of having "a very contemptible opinion of another." Contemptible is applied to that which is the object of contempt; as, contemptible conduct; acontemptible fellow. Contemptuous is applied to that which indicates contempts; as, a contemptuous look; a contemptuous remark; contemptuous treatment. A person, or whatever is personal, as an action, an expression, a feeling, an opinion, may be either contemptuous or contemptible; a thing may be contemptible, but can not be contemptuous.
Difficulty: 16.40
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9718
His
tone
with
the
driver
was
imperious,
but
not
severe,
and
I
guessed
that
it
was
the
only
tone
Nazeer
felt
comfortable
with
and
respected.
1127
caraway
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. (Bot.) A biennial plant of the Parsley family (Carum Carui). The seeds have an aromatic smell, and a warm, pungent taste. They are used in cookery and confectionery, and also in medicine as a carminative. 2. A cake or sweetmeat containing caraway seeds. Caraways, or biscuits, or some other [comfits]. Cogan.
"sweetmeat": 1. Fruit preserved with sugar, as peaches, pears, melons, nuts, orange peel, etc.; -- usually in the plural; a confect; a confection. 2. The paint used in making patent leather. 3. (Zoöl.) A boat shell (Crepidula fornicata) of the American coast. [Local, U.S.]
"biennial": 1. Happening, or taking place, once in two years; as, a biennial election. 2. (Bot.) Continuing for two years, and then perishing, as plants which form roots and leaves the first year, and produce fruit the second.
1. Something which takes place or appears once in two years; esp. a biennial examination. 2. (Bot.) A plant which exists or lasts for two years.
"confectionery": 1. Sweetmeats, in general; things prepared and sold by a confectioner; confections; candies. 2. A place where candies, sweetmeats, and similar things are made or sold.
"carminative": Expelling wind from the body; warning; antispasmodic. "Carmenative hot seeds." Dunglison.
A substance, esp. an aromatic, which tends to expel wind from the alimentary canal, or to relieve colic, griping, or flatulence.
Difficulty: 16.40
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11968
Her
breath
was
sweet
with
cinnamon
and
caraway
seed.
1128
weightlifting
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.40
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13727
I
trained
in
karate
and
weightlifting
with
Abdullah
at
his
favourite
gym
in
the
fashionable
suburb
of
Breach
Candy.
1129
rend
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. To separate into parts with force or sudden violence; to tear asunder; to split; to burst; as, powder rends a rock in blasting; lightning rends an oak. The dreadful thunder Doth rend the region. Shak. 2. To part or tear off forcibly; to take away by force. An empire from its old foundations rent. Dryden. I will surely rend the kingdom from thee. 1 Kings xi. 11. To rap and rend. See under Rap, v. t., to snatch. Syn. -- To tear; burst; break; rupture; lacerate; fracture; crack; split.
To be rent or torn; to become parted; to sepparate; to split. Jer. Taylor.
"lacerate": To tear; to rend; to separate by tearing; to mangle; as, to lacerate the flesh. Hence: To afflict; to torture; as, to lacerate the heart.
1. Rent; torn; mangled; as, a lacerated wound. By each other's fury lacerate Southey. 2. (Bot. & Zoöl.) Jagged, or slashed irregularly, at the end, or along the edge.
Difficulty: 16.40
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 22923
It
was
said
that
he
was
a
ghost,
or
the
Shaitaan,
the
Great
Satan
himself,
come
to
rend
men’s
bodies
and
peel
the
masks
of
their
human
faces
back
from
their
very
skulls.
1130
consonant
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Having agreement; congruous; consistent; according; -- usually followed by with or to. Each one pretends that his opinion . . . is consonant to the words there used. Bp. Beveridge. That where much is given shall be much required is a thing consonant with natural equity. Dr. H. More. 2. Having like sounds. Consonant words and syllables. Howell. 3. (Mus.) harmonizing together; accordant; as, consonant tones, consonant chords. 4. Of or pertaining to consonants; made up of, or containing many, consonants. No Russian whose dissonant consonant name Almost shatters to fragments the trumpet of fame. T. Moore.
An articulate sound which in utterance is usually combined and sounded with an open sound called a vowel; a member of the spoken alphabet other than a vowel; also, a letter or character representing such a sound. Note: Consonants are divided into various classes, as mutes, spirants, sibilants, nasals, semivowels, etc. All of them are sounds uttered through a closer position of the organs than that of a vowel proper, although the most open of them, as the semivowels and nasals, are capable of being used as if vowels, and forming syllables with other closer consonants, as in the English feeble (taken ( Note: "A consonant is the result of audible friction, squeezing, or stopping of the breath in some part of the mouth (or occasionally of the throath.) The main distinction between vowels and consonants is, that while in the former the mouth configuration merely modifies the vocalized breath, which is therefore an essential element of the vowels, in consonants the narrowing or stopping of the oral passage is the foundation of the sound, and the state of the glottis is something secondary." H. Sweet.
"dissonant": 1. Sounding harshly; discordant; unharmonious. With clamor of voices dissonant and loud. Longfellow. 2. Disagreeing; incongruous; discrepfrom or to. "Anything dissonant to truth." South. What can be dissonant from reason and nature than that a man, naturally inclined to clemency, should show himself unkind and inhuman Hakewill.
"accordant": Agreeing; consonant; harmonious; corresponding; conformable; -- followed by with or to. Strictly accordant with true morality. Darwin. And now his voice accordant to the string. Coldsmith.
"glottis": The opening from the pharynx into the larynx or into the trachea. See Larynx.
"utterance": 1. The act of uttering. Specifically: -- (a) Sale by offering to the public. [Obs.] Bacon. (b) Putting in circulation; as, the utterance of false coin, or of forged notes. (c) Vocal expression; articulation; speech. At length gave utterance to these words. Milton. 2. Power or style of speaking; as, a good utterance. They . . . began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts ii. 4. O, how unlike To that large utterance of the early gods! Keats.
The last extremity; the end; death; outrance. [Obs.] Annibal forced those captives whom he had taken of our men to skirmish one against another to the utterance. Holland.
"congruous": Suitable or concordant; accordant; fit; harmonious; correspondent; consistent. Not congruous to the nature of epic poetry. Blair. It is no ways congruous that God should be always frightening men into an acknowledgment of the truth. Atterbury.
Difficulty: 16.40
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26823
Having
a
far
longer
acquaintance
with
her,
I
knew
that
no
power
could
influence
Kavita
toward
anything
not
fully
consonant
with
her
will
and
her
wish.
1131
preamble
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A introductory portion; an introduction or preface, as to a book, document, etc.; specifically, the introductory part of a statute, which states the reasons and intent of the law.
To make a preamble to; to preface; to serve as a preamble. [R.] Feltham. Milton.
Difficulty: 16.39
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6457
‘He
is
a
danger
man,
Lin,’
he
said
without
preamble.
1132
girders
prev
next
Definition (girder)
Definition (girder)
One who girds; a satirist.
1. One who, or that which, girds. 2. (Arch. & Engin.) A main beam; a stright, horizontal beam to span an opening or carry weight, such as ends of floor beams, etc.; hence, a framed or built-up member discharging the same office, technically called a compound girder. See Illusts. of Frame, and Doubleframed floor, under Double. Bowstring girder, Box girder, etc. See under Bowstring, Box, etc. -- Girder bridge. See under Bridge. -- Lattice girder, a girder consisting of longitudinal bars united by diagonal crossing bars. -- Half-lattice girder, a girder consisting of horizontal upper and lower bars connected by a series of diagonal bars sloping alternately in opposite directions so as to divide the space between the bars into a series of triangles. Knight. -- Sandwich girder, a girder consisting of two parallel wooden beams, between which is an iron plate, the whole clamped together by iron bolts.
"alternately": 1. In reciprocal succession; succeeding by turns; in alternate order. 2. (Math.) By alternation; when, in a proportion, the antecedent term is compared with antecedent, and consequent.
"longitudinal": 1. Of or pertaining to longitude or length; as, longitudinal distance. 2. Extending in length; in the direction of the length; running lengthwise, as distinguished from transverse; as, the longitudinal diameter of a body. Cheyne.
A railway sleeper lying parallel with the rail.
"bowstring": 1. The string of a bow. 2. A string used by the Turks for strangling offenders. Bowstring bridge, a bridge formed of an arch of timber or iron, often braced, the thrust of which is resisted by a tie forming a chord of the arch. -- Bowstring girder, an arched beam strengthened by a tie connecting its two ends. -- Bowstring hemp (Bot.), the tenacious fiber of the Sanseviera Zeylanica, growing in India and Africa, from which bowstrings are made. Balfour.
To strangle with a bowstring.
"satirist": One who satirizes; especially, one who writes satire. The mighty satirist, who . . . had spread through the Whig ranks. Macaulay.
"sloping": Inclining or inclined from the plane of the horizon, or from a horizontal or other right line; oblique; declivous; slanting. -- Slop"ing*ly, adv. The sloping land recedes into the clouds. Cowper.
"lattice": 1. Any work of wood or metal, made by crossing laths, or thin strips, and forming a network; as, the lattice of a window; -- called also latticework. The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the lattice. Judg. v. 28. 2. (Her.) The representation of a piece of latticework used as a bearing, the bands being vertical and horizontal. Lattice bridge, a bridge supported by lattice girders, or latticework trusses. -- Lattice girder (Arch.), a girder of which the wed consists of diagonal pieces crossing each other in the manner of latticework. -- Lattice plant (Bot.), an aquatic plant of Madagascar (Ouvirandra fenestralis), whose leaves have interstices between their ribs and cross veins, so as to resemble latticework. A second species is O. Berneriana. The genus is merged in Aponogeton by recent authors.
1. To make a lattice of; as, to lattice timbers. 2. To close, as an opening, with latticework; to furnish with a lattice; as, to lattice a window. To lattice up, to cover or inclose with a lattice. Therein it seemeth he [Alexander] hath latticed up Cæsar. Sir T. North.
Difficulty: 16.39
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7566
The
uppermost
floors
hadn’t
been
concreted,
but
the
framework
of
upright,
transom,
and
truss
girders
was
already
in
place
and
even
there,
thirty-five
storeys
into
the
sky,
women
worked
beside
the
men.
1133
incitements
prev
next
Definition (incitement)
Definition (incitement)
1. The act of inciting. 2. That which incites the mind, or moves to action; motive; incentive; impulse. Burke. From the long records of a distant age, Derive incitements to renew thy rage. Pope. Syn. -- Motive; incentive; spur; stimulus; impulse; encouragement.
Difficulty: 16.39
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17171
His
incitements
to
communal
violence
had
resulted
in
rioting,
arson,
and
murder.
1134
stanzas
prev
next
Definition (stanza)
Definition (stanza)
1. A number of lines or verses forming a division of a song or poem, and agreeing in meter, rhyme, number of lines, etc., with other divisions; a part of a poem, ordinarily containing every variation of measure in that poem; a combination or arrangement of lines usually recurring; whether like or unlike, in measure. Horace confines himself strictly to one sort of verse, or stanza, in every ode. Dryden. 2. (Arch.) An apartment or division in a building; a room or chamber.
Difficulty: 16.39
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26316
They
were
deeply
moving
in
their
beauty,
for
the
first
few
stanzas,
but
always
found
their
way
into
sexual
descriptions
and
allusions
so
perverse
and
abhorrent
that
strong,
wicked
men
winced
to
hear
them.
1135
scudded
prev
next
Definition (scud)
Definition (scud)
1. To move swiftly; especially, to move as if driven forward by something. The first nautilus that scudded upon the glassy surface of warm primeval oceans. I. Taylor. The wind was high; the vast white clouds scudded over the blue heaven. Beaconsfield. 2. (Naut.) To be driven swiftly, or to run, before a gale, with little or no sail spread.
To pass over quickly. [R.] Shenstone.
1. The act of scudding; a driving along; a rushing with precipitation. 2. Loose, vapory clouds driven swiftly by the wind. Borne on the scud of the sea. Longfellow. The scud was flying fast above us, throwing a veil over the moon. Sir S. Baker. 3. A slight, sudden shower. [Prov. Eng.] Wright. 4. (Zoöl.) A small flight of larks, or other birds, less than a flock. [Prov. Eng.] 5. (Zoöl.) Any swimming amphipod crustacean. Storm scud. See the Note under Cloud.
"vapory": 1. Full of vapors; vaporous. 2. Hypochondriacal; splenetic; peevish.
"crustacean": Of or pertaining to the Crustacea; crustaceous. -- n. An animal belonging to the class Crustacea.
"precipitation": 1. The act of precipitating, or the state of being precipitated, or thrown headlong. In peril of precipitation From off rock Tarpeian. Shak. 2. A falling, flowing, or rushing downward with violence and rapidity. The hurry, precipitation, and rapid motion of the water, returning . . . towards the sea. Woodward. 3. Great hurry; rash, tumultuous haste; impetuosity. "The precipitation of inexperience." Rambler. 4. (Chem.) The act or process from a solution.
"amphipod": One of the Amphipoda.
Of or pertaining to the Amphipoda.
Difficulty: 16.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2208
His
eyes
were
open,
conscious,
staring
backward
and
upside
down:
black
eyes,
scudded
with
fear
and
imbecile
hope.
1136
sputum
prev
next
Definition
Definition
That which is expectorated; a salival discharge; spittle; saliva.
"spittle": See Spital. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
To dig or stir with a small spade. [Prov. Eng.]
A small sort of spade. [Prov. Eng.]
The thick, moist matter which is secreted by the salivary glands; saliva; spit. Spittle insect. (Zoöl.) See Cuckoo spit (b), under Cuckoo.
"salival": Salivary.
Difficulty: 16.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11411
‘We’ll
take
these
samples
and
have
them
analysed,’
he
said,
nodding
to
an
assistant
who
filed
blood,
sputum,
and
stool
samples
in
a
metal
carry
case.
1137
restaurateurs
prev
next
Definition (restaurateur)
Definition (restaurateur)
The keeper of an eathing house or a restaurant.
Difficulty: 16.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13618
To
find
the
tourists,
and
entice
them
to
change
their
money,
Khaderbhai’s
mafia
council
employed
a
small
army
of
touts,
guides,
beggars,
hotel
managers,
bellboys,
restaurateurs,
waiters,
shopkeepers,
airline
officials,
travel
agents,
nightclub
owners,
prostitutes,
and
cab
drivers.
1138
neurotransmitters
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20093
The
endorphins
are
peptide
neurotransmitters
that
have
pain-relieving
properties.
1139
gunship
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23022
The
gunship
opened
up
with
machine
guns,
raking
the
open
ground
and
chopping
up
the
bodies
of
the
wounded
men
who
were
exposed
there.
1140
pique
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A cotton fabric, figured in the loom, -- used as a dress goods for women and children, and for vestings, etc.
The jigger. See Jigger.
1. A feeling of hurt, vexation, or resentment, awakened by a social slight or injury; irritation of the feelings, as through wounded pride; stinging vexation. Men take up piques and displeasures. Dr. H. More. Wars had arisen . . . upon a personal pique. De Quincey. 2. Keenly felt desire; a longing. Though it have the pique, and long, 'Tis still for something in the wrong. Hudibras. 3. (Card Playing) In piquet, the right of the elder hand to count thirty in hand, or to play before the adversary counts one. Syn. -- Displeasure; irritation; grudge; spite. Pique, Spite, Grudge. Pique denotes a quick and often transient sense of resentment for some supposed neglect or injury, but it is not marked by malevolence. Spite is a stronger term, denoting settled ill will or malice, with a desire to injure, as the result of extreme irritation. Grudge goes still further, denoting cherished and secret enmity, with an unforgiving spirit. A pique is usually of recent date; a grudge is that which has long subsisted; spite implies a disposition to cross or vex others.
1. To wound the pride of; to sting; to nettle; to irritate; to fret; to offend; to excite to anger. Pique her, and soothe in turn. Byron. 2. To excite to action by causing resentment or jealousy; to stimulate; to prick; as, to pique ambition, or curiosity. Prior. 3. To pride or value; -- used reflexively. Men . . . pique themselves upon their skill. Locke. Syn. -- To offend; displease; irritate; provoke; fret; nettle; sting; goad; stimulate.
To cause annoyance or irritation. "Every piques." Tatler.
"goad": A pointed instrument used to urge on a beast; hence, any necessity that urges or stimulates. The daily goad urging him to the daily toil. Macaulay.
To prick; to drive with a goad; hence, to urge forward, or to rouse by anything pungent, severe, irritating, or inflaming; to stimulate. That temptation that doth goad us on. Shak. Syn. -- To urge; stimulate; excite; arouse; irritate; incite; instigate.
"malevolence": The quality or state of being malevolent; evil disposition toward another; inclination to injure others; ill will. See Synonym of Malice.
"vexation": 1. The act of vexing, or the state of being vexed; agitation; disquiet; trouble; irritation. Passions too violent . . . afford us nothing but vexation and pain. Sir W. Temple. Those who saw him after a defeat looked in vain for any trace of vexation. Macaulay. 2. The cause of trouble or disquiet; affliction. Your children were vexation to your youth. Shak. 3. A harassing by process of law; a vexing or troubling, as by a malicious suit. Bacon. Syn. -- Chagrin; agitation; mortification; uneasiness; trouble; grief; sorrow; distress. See Chagrin.
"piquet": See Picket. [R.]
A game at cards played between two persons, with thirty-two cards, all the deuces, threes, fours, fives, and sixes, being set aside. [Written also picket and picquet.]
Difficulty: 16.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24035
Talk
like
that
would’ve
been
enough
to
pique
the
curiosity
of
any
intelligence
agent
from
any
agency.
1141
generational
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 25287
And
the
business
was
generational:
as
licensing
authorities
and
other
bodies
modified
their
documents
in
response
to
our
forgeries,
we
dutifully
copied
and
then
counterfeited
them
again,
at
additional
cost.
1142
baptismal
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Pertaining to baptism; as, baptismal vows. Baptismal name, the Christian name, which is given at baptism.
Difficulty: 16.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26779
And
I
couldn’t
decide,
as
I
walked
that
long,
baptismal
stretch
from
Flora
to
the
Causeway,
which
way
to
jump.
1143
billowing
prev
next
Definition (billow)
Definition (billow)
1. A great wave or surge of the sea or other water, caused usually by violent wind. Whom the winds waft where'er the billows roll. Cowper. 2. A great wave or flood of anything. Milton.
To surge; to rise and roll in waves or surges; to undulate. "The billowing snow." Prior.
"waft": 1. To give notice to by waving something; to wave the hand to; to beckon. [Obs.] But soft: who wafts us yonder Shak. 2. To cause to move or go in a wavy manner, or by the impulse of waves, as of water or air; to bear along on a buoyant medium; as, a balloon was wafted over the channel. A gentle wafting to immortal life. Milton. Speed the soft intercourse from soul to soul, And waft a sigh from Indus to the pole. Pope. 3. To cause to float; to keep from sinking; to buoy. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne. Note: This verb is regular; but waft was formerly somwafted.
To be moved, or to pass, on a buoyant medium; to float. And now the shouts waft near the citadel. Dryden.
1. A wave or current of wind. "Everywaft of the air." Longfellow. In this dire season, oft the whirlwind's wing Sweeps up the burden of whole wintry plains In one wide waft. Thomson. 2. A signal made by waving something, as a flag, in the air. 3. An unpleasant flavor. [Obs.] 4. (Naut.) A knot, or stop, in the middle of a flag. [Written also wheft.] Note: A flag with a waft in it, when hoisted at the staff, or half way to the gaff, means, a man overboard; at the peak, a desire to communicate; at the masthead, "Recall boats."
"undulate": Same as Undulated.
To cause to move backward and forward, or up and down, in undulations or waves; to cause to vibrate. Breath vocalized, that is, vibrated and undulated. Holder.
To move in, or have, undulations or waves; to vibrate; to wave; as, undulating air.
Difficulty: 16.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 16293
They
filled
the
whole
width
of
the
billowing
sheet:
1144
acuity
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Sharpness or acuteness, as of a needle, wit, etc.
"sharpness": The quality or condition of being sharp; keenness; acuteness.
"acuteness": 1. The quality of being acute or pointed; sharpness; as, the acuteness of an angle. 2. The faculty of nice discernment or perception; acumen; keenness; sharpness; sensitiveness; -- applied to the senses, or the understanding. By acuteness of feeling, we perceive small objects or slight impressions: by acuteness of intellect, we discern nice distinctions. Perhaps, also, he felt his professional acuteness interested in bringing it to a successful close. Sir W. Scott. 3. Shrillness; high pitch; -- said of sounds. 4. (Med.) Violence of a disease, which brings it speedily to a crisis. Syn. -- Penetration; sagacity; keenness; ingenuity; shrewdness; subtlety; sharp-wittedness.
Difficulty: 16.38
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26689
Sometimes,
we
see
the
past
so
clearly,
and
read
the
legend
of
its
parts
with
such
acuity,
that
every
stitch
of
time
reveals
its
purpose,
and
a
kind
of
message
is
enfolded
in
it.
1145
tertiary
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Being of the third formation, order, or rank; third; as, a tertiary use of a word. Trench. 2. (Chem.) Possessing some quality in the third degree; having been subjected to the substitution of three atoms or radicals; as, a tertiary alcohol, amine, or salt. Cf. Primary, and Secondary. (CH3)3C.OH. 3. (Geol.) Later than, or subsequent to, the Secondary. 4. (Zoöl.) Growing on the innermost joint of a bird's wing; tertial; -- said of quills. Tertiary age. (Geol.) See under Age, 8. -- Tertiary color, a color produced by the mixture of two secondaries. "The so-called tertiary colors are citrine, russet, and olive." Fairholt. -- Tertiary period. (Geol.) (a) The first period of the age of mammals, or of the Cenozoic era. (b) The rock formation of that period; -- called also Tertiary formation. See the Chart of Geology. -- Tertiary syphilis (Med.), the third and last stage of syphilis, in which it invades the bones and internal organs.
1. (R. C. Ch.) A member of the Third Order in any monastic system; as, the Franciscan tertiaries; the Dominican tertiaries; the Carmelite tertiaries. See Third Order, under Third. Addis & Arnold. 2. (Geol.) The Tertiary era, period, or formation. 3. (Zoöl.) One of the quill feathers which are borne upon the basal joint of the wing of a bird. See Illust. of Bird.
"citrine": Like a citron or lemon; of a lemon color; greenish yellow. Citrine ointment (Med.), a yellowish mercurial ointment, the unquentum hydrargyri nitratis.
A yellow, pellucid variety of quartz.
"amine": One of a class of strongly basic substances derived from ammonia by replacement of one or more hydrogen atoms by a basic atom or radical.
"carmelite": Of or pertaining to the order of Carmelites.
1. (Eccl. Hist.) A friar of a mendicant order (the Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel) established on Mount Carmel, in Syria, in the twelfth century; a White Friar. 2. A nun of the Order of Our lady of Mount Carmel.
"basal": Relating to, or forming, the base. Basal cleavage. See under Cleavage. -- Basal plane (Crystallog.), one parallel to the lateral or horizontal axis.
"tertial": Same as Tertiary.
"russet": 1. Of a reddish brown color, or (by some called) a red gray; of the color composed of blue, red, and yellow in equal strength, but unequal proportions, namely, two parts of red to one each of blue and yellow; also, of a yellowish brown color. The morn, in russet mantle clad. Shak. Our summer such a russet livery wears. Dryden. 2. Coarse; homespun; rustic. [R.] Shak.
1. A russet color; a pigment of a russet color. 2. Cloth or clothing of a russet color. 3. A country dress; -- so called because often of a russet color. Dryden. 4. An apple, or a pear, of a russet color; as, the English russet, and the Roxbury russet.
"cenozoic": Belonging to the most recent division of geological time, including the tertiary, or Age of mammals, and the Quaternary, or Age of man. [Written also cænozoic, cainozoic, kainozoic.] See Geology. Note: This word is used by many authors as synonymous with Tertiary, the Quaternary Age not being included.
"franciscan": Belonging to the Order of St. Francis of the Franciscans. Franciscan Brothers, pious laymen who devote themselves to useful works, such as manual labor schools, and other educational institutions; -- called also Brothers of the Third Order of St. Francis. -- Franciscan Nuns, nuns who follow the rule of t. Francis, esp. those of the Second Order of St. Francis, -- called also Poor Clares or Minoresses. -- Franciscan Tertiaries, the Third Order of St. Francis.
A monk or friar of the Order of St. Francis, a large and zealous order of mendicant monks founded in 1209 by St. Francis of Assisi. They are called also Friars Minor; and in England, Gray Friars, because they wear a gray habit.
Difficulty: 16.37
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6236
Through
secondary
and
then
tertiary
studies,
the
children
were
provided
for
and
encouraged.
1146
tarpaulin
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. A piece of canvas covered with tar or a waterproof composition, used for covering the hatches of a ship, hammocks, boats, etc. 2. A hat made of, or covered with, painted or tarred cloth, worn by sailors and others. 3. Hence, a sailor; a seaman; a tar. To a landsman, these tarpaulins, as they were called, seemed a strange and half-savage race. Macaulay.
"landsman": 1. One who lives on the land; -- opposed to seaman. 2. (Naut.) A sailor on his first voyage.
Difficulty: 16.37
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6531
One
notable
expedition
by
the
tiny
pilferers
produced
a
huge
tarpaulin
that,
from
its
shape,
had
clearly
been
the
camouflage
cover
for
a
battle
tank.
1147
tarpaulins
prev
next
Definition (tarpaulin)
Definition (tarpaulin)
1. A piece of canvas covered with tar or a waterproof composition, used for covering the hatches of a ship, hammocks, boats, etc. 2. A hat made of, or covered with, painted or tarred cloth, worn by sailors and others. 3. Hence, a sailor; a seaman; a tar. To a landsman, these tarpaulins, as they were called, seemed a strange and half-savage race. Macaulay.
"landsman": 1. One who lives on the land; -- opposed to seaman. 2. (Naut.) A sailor on his first voyage.
Difficulty: 16.37
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7926
The
heavy
trucks
were
covered
with
canvas
tarpaulins.
1148
confluences
prev
next
Definition (confluence)
Definition (confluence)
1. The act of flowing together; the meeting or junction of two or more streams; the place of meeting. New York stood at the confluence of two rivers. Bancroft. 2. Any running together of separate streams or currents; the act of meeting and crowding in a place; hence, a crowd; a concourse; an assemblage. You see this confluence, this great flood of vistors. Shak. The confluence . . . of all true joys. Boyle.
"assemblage": 1. The act of assembling, or the state o In sweet assemblage every blooming grace. Fenton. 2. A collection of individuals, or of individuals, or of particular things; as, a political assemblage; an assemblage of ideas. Syn. -- Company; group; collection; concourse; gathering; meeting; convention. Assemblage, Assembly. An assembly consists only of persons; an assemblage may be composed of things as well as persons, as, an assemblage of incoherent objects. Nor is every assemblage of persons an assembly; since the latter term denotes a body who have met, and are acting, in concert for some common end, such as to hear, to deliberate, to unite in music, dancing, etc. An assemblage of skaters on a lake, or of horse jockeys at a race course, is not an assembly, but might be turned into one by collecting into a body with a view to discuss and decide as to some object of common interest.
Difficulty: 16.36
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6288
Further
on
was
a
vast
shunting
area—an
open
space
marked
by
dozens
of
railway
lines
and
their
confluences.
1149
unassailable
prev
next
Definition (assail)
Definition (assail)
1. To attack with violence, or in a vehement and hostile manner; to assault; to molest; as, to assail a man with blows; to assail a city with artillery. No rude noise mine ears assailing. Cowper. No storm can now assail The charm he wears within. Keble. 2. To encounter or meet purposely with the view of mastering, as an obstacle, difficulty, or the like. The thorny wilds the woodmen fierce assail. Pope. 3. To attack morally, or with a view to produce changes in the feelings, character, conduct, existing usages, institutions; to attack by words, hostile influence, etc.; as, to assail one with appeals, arguments, abuse, ridicule, and the like. The papal authority . . . assailed. Hallam. They assailed him with keen invective; they assailed him with still keener irony. Macaulay. Syn. -- To attack; assault; invade; encounter; fall upon. See Attack.
"keener": A professional mourner who wails at a funeral. [Ireland]
"vehement": 1. Acting with great force; furious; violent; impetuous; forcible; mighty; as, vehement wind; a vehement torrent; a vehement fire or heat. 2. Very ardent; very eager or urgent; very fervent; passionate; as, a vehement affection or passion. "Vehement instigation." Shak. "Vehement desire." Milton. Syn. -- Furious; violent; raging; impetuous; passionate; ardent; eager; hot; fervid; burning.
"invective": Characterized by invection; critical; denunciatory; satirical; abusive; railing.
An expression which inveighs or rails against a person; a severe or violent censure or reproach; something uttered or written, intended to cast opprobrium, censure, or reproach on another; a harsh or reproachful accusation; -- followed by against, having reference to the person or thing affected; as an invective against tyranny. The world will be able to judge of his [Junius'] motives for writing such famous invectives. Sir W. Draper. Syn. -- Abuse; censure; reproach; satire; sarcasm; railing; diatribe. See Abuse.
Difficulty: 16.36
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8041
The
Congress
Party
governed
India
through
those
years
with
what
seemed
to
be
an
unassailable
lead
in
every
national
poll.
1150
acolytes
prev
next
Definition (acolyte)
Definition (acolyte)
1. (Eccl.) One who has received the highest of the four minor orders in the Catholic church, being ordained to carry the wine and water and the lights at the Mass. 2. One who attends; an assistant. "With such chiefs, and with James and John as acolytes." Motley.
Difficulty: 16.36
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11787
Weaving
their
way
between
them
and
the
traders
and
the
tourists
were
the
dancers,
singers,
acrobats,
musicians,
fortune-tellers,
temple
acolytes,
fire-eaters,
monkey
men,
snake
men,
bear-handlers,
beggars,
self-flagellators,
and
many
more
who
lived
from
the
crowded
street,
and
returned
to
the
slums
at
night.
1151
ineptitude
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The quality of being inept; unfitness; inaptitude; unsuitableness. That ineptitude for society, which is frequently the fault of us scholars. Tatler. 2. Absurdity; nonsense; foolishness.
"inaptitude": Want of aptitude.
Difficulty: 16.36
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20193
For
Nazeer,
that
stumbling
ineptitude
with
horses
was
a
terrible
affliction,
as
pitiable
in
a
man
as
a
painfully
debilitating
illness.
1152
glistened
prev
next
Definition (glisten)
Definition (glisten)
To sparkle or shine; especially, to shine with a mild, subdued, and fitful luster; to emit a soft, scintillating light; to gleam; as, the glistening stars. Syn. -- See Flash.
"fitful": Full of fits; irregularly variable; impulsive and unstable. After life's fitful fever, he sleeps well. Shak. -- Fit"ful*ly, adv. -- Fit"ful*ness, n. The victorius trumpet peal Dies fitfully away. Macaulay.
"luster": One who lusts.
A period of five years; a lustrum. Both of us have closed the tenth luster. Bolingbroke.
1. Brilliancy; splendor; brightness; glitter. The right mark and very true luster of the diamond. Sir T. More. The scorching sun was mounted high, In all its luster, to the noonday sky. Addison. Note: There is a tendency to limit the use of luster, in this sense, to the brightness of things which do not shine with their own light, or at least do not blaze or glow with heat. One speaks of the luster of a diamond, or of silk, or even of the stars, but not often now of the luster of the sun, a coal of fire, or the like. 2. Renown; splendor; distinction; glory. His ancestors continued about four hundred years, rather without obscurity than with any great luster. Sir H. Wotton. 3. A candlestick, chandelier, girandole, or the like, generally of an ornamental character. Pope. 4. (Min.) The appearance of the surface of a mineral as affected by, or dependent upon, peculiarities of its reflecting qualities. Note: The principal kinds of luster recognized are: metallic, adamantine, vitreous, resinous, greasy, pearly, and silky. With respect to intensity, luster is characterized as splendent, shining, glistening, glimmering, and dull. 5. A substance which imparts luster to a surface, as plumbago and some of the glazes. 6. A fabric of wool and cotton with a lustrous surface, -- used for women's dresses. Luster ware, earthenware decorated by applying to the glazing metallic oxides, which acquire brilliancy in the process of baking.
To make lustrous. [R. & Poetic] Flooded and lustered with her loosened gold. Lowell.
Difficulty: 16.36
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11967
Her
black
hair
glistened
with
raindrops.
1153
convalescence
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The recovery of heath and strength after disease; the state of a body renewing its vigor after sickness or weakness; the time between the subsidence of a disease and complete restoration to health.
"subsidence": The act or process of subsiding. The subdual or subsidence of the more violent passions. Bp. Warburton.
Difficulty: 16.36
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13700
The
clean,
tiled
shower
and
soft
mattress
did
help
me
to
heal,
but
there
was
more
to
the
move
than
physical
convalescence.
1154
pretensions
prev
next
Definition (pretension)
Definition (pretension)
1. The act of pretending, or laying claim; the act of asserting right or title. The arrogant pretensions of Glengarry contributed to protract the discussion. Macaulay. 2. A claim made, whether true or false; a right alleged or assumed; a holding out the appearance of possessing a certain character; as, pretensions to scholarship. This was but an invention and pretension given out by the Spaniards. Bacon. Men indulge those opinions and practices that favor their pretensions. L'Estrange.
"glengarry": A kind of Highland Scotch cap for men, with straight sides and a hollow top sloping to the back, where it is parted and held together by ribbons or strings. The long silk streamers of his Glengarry bonnet. L. Hutton.
"protract": 1. To draw out or lengthen in time or (rarely) in space; to continue; to prolong; as, to protract an argument; to protract a war. 2. To put off to a distant time; to delay; to defer; as, to protract a decision or duty. Shak. 3. (Surv.) To draw to a scale; to lay down the lines and angles of, with scale and protractor; to plot. 4. (Zoöl.) To extend; to protrude; as, the cat can protract its claws; -- opposed to retract.
Tedious continuance or delay. [Obs.] Spenser.
Difficulty: 16.35
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 16732
But
he
lived
in
his
magnificent
house
on
the
cliffs
without
the
pretensions
of
his
rank.
1155
precepts
prev
next
Definition (precept)
Definition (precept)
1. Any commandment, instruction, or order intended as an authoritative rule of action; esp., a command respecting moral conduct; an injunction; a rule. For precept must be upon precept. Isa. xxviii. 10. No arts are without their precepts. Dryden. 2. (Law) A command in writing; a species of writ or process. Burrill. Syn. -- Commandment; injunction; mandate; law; rule; direction; principle; maxim. See Doctrine.
To teach by precepts. [Obs.] Bacon.
Difficulty: 16.35
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26068
Khader
Khan
had
been
dead
for
almost
two
years,
but
his
precepts
and
principles
still
dominated
the
day-to-day
operations
of
the
mafia
council
he’d
founded.
1156
archways
prev
next
Definition (archway)
Definition (archway)
A way or passage under an arch.
Difficulty: 16.35
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26418
He
took
short
cuts
through
improvised
shops
in
sheltering
archways,
and
weaved
his
way
along
the
labyrinth
lines
of
washed,
brightly
coloured
saris
hung
out
to
dry.
1157
scrunched
prev
next
Definition (scrunch)
Definition (scrunch)
To scranch; to crunch. Dickens.
"scranch": To grind with the teeth, and with a crackling sound; to craunch. [Prov. Eng. & Colloq. U.S.]
Difficulty: 16.34
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 5642
The
cop
scrunched
the
parcel
into
the
front
of
his
shirt,
and
leaned
aside
to
spit
twice
noisily,
for
luck.
1158
disparate
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Unequal; dissimilar; separate. Connecting disparate thoughts, purely by means of resemblances in the words expressing them. Coleridge. 2. (Logic) Pertaining to two coördinate species or divisions.
"dissimilar": Not similar; unlike; heterogeneous; as, the tempers of men are as dissimilar as their features. This part very dissimilar to any other. Boyle.
Difficulty: 16.34
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 10270
Such
a
disparate
group—the
richest
and
the
most
wretched,
educated
and
illiterate,
virtuous
and
criminal,
old
and
young—it
seemed
that
the
only
thing
they
had
in
common
was
a
power
to
make
me
feel
…
something.
1159
bluestones
prev
next
Definition (bluestone)
Definition (bluestone)
1. Blue vitriol. Dunglison. 2. A grayish blue building stone, as that commonly used in the eastern United States.
"vitriol": (a) A sulphate of any one of certain metals, as copper, iron, zinc, cobalt. So called on account of the glassy appearance or luster. (b) Sulphuric acid; -- called also oil of vitriol. So called because first made by the distillation of green vitriol. See Sulphuric acid, under Sulphuric. [Colloq.] Blue vitriol. See under Blue. -- Green vitriol, ferrous sulphate; copperas. See under Green. -- Oil of vitriol, sulphuric or vitriolic acid; -- popularly so called because it has the consistency of oil. -- Red vitriol, a native sulphate of cobalt. -- Vitriol of Mars, ferric sulphate, a white crystalline substance which dissolves in water, forming a red solution. -- White vitriol, zinc sulphate, a white crystalline substance used in medicine and in dyeing. It is usually obtained by dissolving zinc in sulphuric acid, or by roasting and oxidizing certain zinc ores. Formerly called also vitriol of zinc.
"grayish": Somewhat gray.
Difficulty: 16.34
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 25807
I
pressed
my
hands
down
on
the
little
mountain
range
of
the
faceted
bluestones
on
the
top
of
the
sea
wall,
as
if
I
could
drive
my
fingers
into
the
city
and
save
myself
by
clinging
to
her.
1160
capitulations
prev
next
Definition (capitulation)
Definition (capitulation)
1. A reducing to heads or articles; a formal agreement. With special capitulation that neither the Scots nor the French shall refortify. Bp. Burnet. 2. The act of capitulating or surrendering to an emeny upon stipulated terms. 3. The instrument containing the terms of an agreement or surrender.
"refortify": To fortify anew.
"burnet": A genus of perennial herbs (Poterium); especially, P.Sanguisorba, the common, or garden, burnet. Burnet moth (Zoöl.), in England, a handsome moth (Zygæna filipendula), with crimson spots on the wings. -- Burnet saxifrage. (Bot.) See Saxifrage. -- Canadian burnet, a marsh plant (Poterium Canadensis). -- Great burnet, Wild burnet, Poterium (or Sanguisorba) oficinalis.
Difficulty: 16.34
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 314
It
was
just
the
first
of
countless
capitulations
that
would,
in
time,
come
to
define
our
relationship.
1161
observances
prev
next
Definition (observance)
Definition (observance)
1. The act or practice of observing or noticing with attention; a heeding or keeping with care; performance; -- usually with a sense of strictness and fidelity; as, the observance of the Sabbath is general; the strict observance of duties. It is a custom More honored in the breach than the observance. Shak. 2. An act, ceremony, or rite, as of worship or respect; especially, a customary act or service of attention; a form; a practice; a rite; a custom. At dances These young folk kept their observances. Chaucer. Use all the observance of civility. Shak. Some represent to themselves the whole of religion as consisting in a few easy observances. Rogers. O I that wasted time to tend upon her, To compass her with sweet observances! Tennyson. 3. Servile attention; sycophancy. [Obs.] Salads and flesh, such as their haste could get, Served with observance. Chapman. This is not atheism, But court observance. Beau. & Fl. Syn. -- Observance, Observation. These words are discriminated by the two distinct senses of observe. To observe means (1) to keep strictly; as, to observe a fast day, and hence, observance denotes the keeping or heeding with strictness; (2) to consider attentively, or to remark; and hence, observation denotes either the act of observing, or some remark made as the result thereof. We do not say the observation of Sunday, though the word was formerly so used. The Pharisees were curious in external observances; the astronomers are curious in celestial observations. Love rigid honesty, And strict observance of impartial laws. Roscommon.
"atheism": 1. The disbelief or denial of the existence of a God, or supreme intelligent Being. Atheism is a ferocious system, that leaves nothing above us to excite awe, nor around us to awaken tenderness. R. Hall. Atheism and pantheism are often wrongly confounded. Shipley. 2. Godlessness.
"sycophancy": The character or characteristic of a sycophant. Hence: - (a) False accusation; calumniation; talebearing. [Obs.] Bp. Hall. (b) Obsequious flattery; servility. The sycophancy of A.Philips had prejudiced Mr. Addison against Pope. Bp. Warburton.
"strictness": Quality or state of being strict.
"servile": 1. Of or pertaining to a servant or slave; befitting a servant or a slave; proceeding from dependence; hence, meanly submissive; slavish; mean; cringing; fawning; as, servile flattery; servile fear; servile obedience. She must bend the servile knee. Thomson. Fearing dying pays death servile breath. Shak. 2. Held in subjection; dependent; enslaved. Even fortune rules no more, O servile land! Pope. 3. (Gram.) (a) Not belonging to the original root; as, a servile letter. (b) Not itself sounded, but serving to lengthen the preceeding vowel, as e in tune.
An element which forms no part of the original root; -- opposed to radical.
Difficulty: 16.34
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6910
Their
punishment,
for
fighting
about
religion,
was
that
each
had
to
learn
one
complete
prayer
from
the
religious
observances
of
the
other.
1162
jubilant
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Uttering songs of triumph; shouting with joy; triumphant; exulting. "The jubilant age." Coleridge. While the bright pomp ascended jubilant. Milton.
"exulting": Rejoicing triumphantly or exceedingly; exultant. -- Ex*ult"ing*ly, adv.
Difficulty: 16.34
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 16325
Didier
was
jubilant,
crowing
over
the
triumph
of
his
romantic
scheme,
and
demanding
modest
tributes,
in
the
form
of
stiff
drinks,
from
everyone
we
knew.
1163
enclave
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A tract of land or a territory inclosed within another territory of which it is independent. See Exclave. [Recent]
To inclose within an alien territory. [Recent]
"inclose": 1. To surround; to shut in; to confine on all sides; to include; to shut up; to encompass; as, to inclose a fort or an army with troops; to inclose a town with walls. How many evils have inclosed me round! Milton. 2. To put within a case, envelope, or the like; to fold (a thing) within another or into the same parcel; as, to inclose a letter or a bank note. The inclosed copies of the treaty. Sir W. Temple. 3. To separate from common grounds by a fence; as, to inclose lands. Blackstone. 4. To put into harness; to harness. [Obs.] They went to coach and their horse inclose. Chapman.
"exclave": A portion of a country which is separated from the main part and surrounded by politically alien territory. [Recent.] Note: The same territory is an enclave in respect to the surrounding country and an exclave with respect to the country to which it is politically attached.
Difficulty: 16.34
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23165
Juma,
a
cameleer
from
the
tiny
Tajik
enclave
in
the
south-west
of
Afghanistan
near
Iran,
volunteered
to
search
for
him.
1164
divesting
prev
next
Definition (divest)
Definition (divest)
1. To unclothe; to strip, as of clothes, arms, or equipage; -- opposed to invest. 2. Fig.: To strip; to deprive; to dispossess; as, to divest one of his rights or privileges; to divest one's self of prejudices, passions, etc. Wretches divested of every moral feeling. Goldsmith. The tendency of the language to divest itself of its gutturals. Earle. 3. (Law) See Devest. Mozley & W.
"devest": 1. To divest; to undress. Shak. 2. To take away, as an authority, title, etc., to deprive; to alienate, as an estate. Note: This word is now generally written divest, except in the legal sense.
To be taken away, lost, or alienated, as a title or an estate.
"unclothe": To strip of clothes or covering; to make naked. I. Watts. [We] do groan being burdened; not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon. 2 Cor. v. 4.
"equipage": 1. Furniture or outfit, whether useful or ornamental; especially, the furniture and supplies of a vessel, fitting her for a voyage or for warlike purposes, or the furniture and necessaries of an army, a body of troops, or a single soldier, including whatever is necessary for efficient service; equipments; accouterments; habiliments; attire. Did their exercises on horseback with noble equipage. Evelyn. First strip off all her equipage of Pride. Pope. 2. Retinue; train; suite. Swift. 3. A carriage of state or of pleasure with all that accompanies it, as horses, liveried servants, etc., a showy turn-out. The rumbling equipages of fashion . . . were unknown in the settlement of New Amsterdam. W. Irving.
"dispossess": To put out of possession; to deprive of the actual occupancy of, particularly of land or real estate; to disseize; to eject; -- usually followed by of before the thing taken away; as, to dispossess a king of his crown. Usurp the land, and dispossess the swain. Goldsmith.
Difficulty: 16.33
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7182
The
creatures
displayed
an
inventive
resourcefulness
in
divesting
themselves
of
the
bells
or
in
smothering
them.
1165
salivating
prev
next
Definition (salivate)
Definition (salivate)
To produce an abnormal flow of saliva in; to produce salivation or ptyalism in, as by the use of mercury. over.; as, salivate over the prospects of high profits from an enterprise. Note: Probably influenced by the experiments of Pavlov, who trained dogs to salivate at the sound of a bell, by previously ringing the bell immediately prior to feeding them.
"ptyalism": Salivation, or an excessive flow of saliva. Quain.
"salivation": The act or process of salivating; an excessive secretion of saliva, often accompained with soreness of the mouth and gums; ptyalism. Note: It may be induced by direct chemical or mechanical stimulation, as in mastication of some tasteless substance like rubber, or indirectly by some agent which affects the whole system, as mercury compounds.
Difficulty: 16.33
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13213
As
they
ate
noisily,
they
threw
scraps
of
chicken,
bread,
or
fruit
outwards
to
the
surrounding
flunkies
sitting
on
their
haunches
in
simian
obsequiousness,
and
waiting
with
bulging
eyes
and
salivating
mouths.
1166
doormen
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.32
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 219
There
were
grand
hotels,
with
liveried
doormen
standing
beneath
coloured
awnings.
1167
endowing
prev
next
Definition (endow)
Definition (endow)
1. To furnish with money or its equivalent, as a permanent fund for support; to make pecuniary provision for; to settle an income upon; especially, to furnish with dower; as, to endow a wife; to endow a public institution. Endowing hospitals and almshouses. Bp. Stillingfleet. 2. To enrich or furnish with anything of the nature of a gift (as a quality or faculty); -- followed by with, rarely by of; as, man is endowed by his Maker with reason; to endow with privileges or benefits.
"dower": 1. That with which one is gifted or endowed; endowment; gift. How great, how plentiful, how rich a dower! Sir J. Davies. Man in his primeval dower arrayed. Wordsworth. 2. The property with which a woman is endowed; especially: (a) That which a woman brings to a husband in marriage; dowry. [Obs.] His wife brought in dower Cilicia's crown. Dryden. (b) (Law) That portion of the real estate of a man which his widow enjoys during her life, or to which a woman is entitled after the death of her husband. Blackstone. Note: Dower, in modern use, is and should be distinguished from dowry. The former is a provision for a widow on her husband's death; the latter is a bride's portion on her marriage. Abbott. Assignment of dower. See under Assignment.
"pecuniary": 1. Relating to money; monetary; as, a pecuniary penalty; a pecuniary reward. Burke.
Difficulty: 16.32
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 5767
Khaderbhai
also
took
a
sugar
cube
and
sipped
his
tea
through
it,
endowing
the
little
custom
with
a
peculiar
dignity
and
solemnity,
as
in
fact
he
did
with
every
expression
and
even
the
most
casual
gesture.
1168
gurgled
prev
next
Definition (gurgle)
Definition (gurgle)
To run or flow in a broken, irregular, noisy current, as water from a bottle, or a small stream among pebbles or stones. Pure gurgling rills the lonely desert trace, And waste their music on the savage race. Young.
The act of gurgling; a broken, bubbling noise. "Tinkling gurgles." W. Thompson.
Difficulty: 16.32
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2434
‘Enough
now,
baba,’
Prabaker
gurgled
through
his
wide
grin.
1169
gurgle
prev
next
Definition
Definition
To run or flow in a broken, irregular, noisy current, as water from a bottle, or a small stream among pebbles or stones. Pure gurgling rills the lonely desert trace, And waste their music on the savage race. Young.
The act of gurgling; a broken, bubbling noise. "Tinkling gurgles." W. Thompson.
Difficulty: 16.32
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6347
Ranjit
tilted
his
head
back,
and
one
of
the
children
tipped
the
water
in
a
gurgle
down
his
throat.
1170
agonisingly
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.32
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9066
Every
act
of
suffering,
no
matter
how
small
or
agonisingly
great,
is
a
test
of
love
in
some
way.
1171
vestige
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The mark of the foot left on the earth; a track or footstep; a trace; a sign; hence, a faint mark or visible sign left by something which is lost, or has perished, or is no longer present; remains; as, the vestiges of ancient magnificence in Palmyra; vestiges of former population. What vestiges of liberty or property have they left Burke. Ridicule has followed the vestiges of Truth, but never usurped her place. Landor. Syn. -- Trace; mark; sign; token. -- Vestige, Trace. These words agree in marking some indications of the past, but differ to some extent in their use and application. Vestige is used chiefly in a figurative sense, for the remains something long passed away; as, the vestiges of ancient times; vestiges of the creation. A trace is literally something drawn out in a line, and may be used in this its primary sense, or figuratively, to denote a sign or evidence left by something that has passed by, or ceased to exist. Vestige usually supposes some definite object of the past to be left behind; while a trace may be a mere indication that something has been present or is present; as, traces of former population; a trace of poison in a given substance.
"footstep": 1. The mark or impression of the foot; a track; hence, visible sign of a course pursued; token; mark; as, the footsteps of divine wisdom. How on the faltering footsteps of decay Youth presses. Bryant. 2. An inclined plane under a hand printing press.
"figurative": 1. Representing by a figure, or by resemblance; typical; representative. This, they will say, was figurative, and served, by God's appointment, but for a time, to shadow out the true glory of a more divine sanctity. Hooker. 2. Used in a sense that is tropical, as a metaphor; not literal; -- applied to words and expressions. 3. Ambounding in figures of speech; flowery; florid; as, a highly figurative description. 4. Relating to the representation of form or figure by drawing, carving, etc. See Figure, n., 2. They belonged to a nation dedicated to the figurative arts, and they wrote for a public familiar with painted form. J. A. Symonds. Figurative counterpointdescant. See under Figurate. -- Fig"ur*a*tive*ly, adv. -- Fig"ur*a*tive*ness, n.
"denote": 1. To mark out plainly; to signify by a visible sign; to serve as the sign or name of; to indicate; to point out; as, the hands of the clock denote the hour. The better to denote her to the doctor. Shak. 2. To be the sign of; to betoken; to signify; to mean. A general expression to denote wickedness of every sort. Gilpin.
"palmyra": A species of palm (Borassus flabelliformis) having a straight, black, upright trunk, with palmate leaves. It is found native along the entire northern shores of the Indian Ocean, from the mouth of the Tigris to New Guinea. More than eight hundred uses to which it is put are enumerated by native writers. Its wood is largely used for building purposes; its fruit and roots serve for food, its sap for making toddy, and its leaves for thatching huts.
Difficulty: 16.32
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26657
An
emotion
that
I
couldn’t
fully
understand—the
last
vestige
of
anger
at
Ulla,
perhaps,
or
a
jealous
contempt
for
his
faith
in
her—made
me
want
to
shake
him,
and
shout
the
truth
at
him,
and
hurt
him
with
it.
1172
crims
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.31
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 5175
They’d
never
figure
that
crims
would
be
crazy
enough
to
use
a
power
saw,
right
next
to
the
main
gate.
1173
liniment
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A liquid or semiliquid preparation of a consistence thinner than an ointment, applied to the skin by friction, esp. one used as a sedative or a stimulant.
"consistence": 1. The condition of standing or adhering together, or being fixed in union, as the parts of a body; existence; firmness; coherence; solidity. Water, being divided, maketh many circles, till it restore itself to the natural consistence. Bacon. We are as water, weak, and of no consistence. Jer. Taylor. The same form, substance, and consistency. T. Burned. 2. A degree of firmness, density, or spissitude. Let the expressed juices be boiled into the consistence of a sirup. Arbuthnot. 3. That which stands together as a united whole; a combination. The church of God, as meaning whole consistence of orders and members. Milton. 4. Firmness of constitution or character; substantiality; durability; persistency. His friendship is of a noble make and a lasting consistency. South. 5. Agreement or harmony of all parts of a complex thing among themselves, or of the same thing with itself at different times; the harmony of conduct with profession; congruity; correspondence; as, the consistency of laws, regulations, or judicial decisions; consistency of opinions; consistency of conduct or of character. That consistency of behavior whereby he inflexibly pursues those measures which appear the most just. Addison. Consistency, thou art a jewel. Popular Saying.
"semiliquid": Half liquid; semifluid.
Difficulty: 16.31
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 22165
And
at
night,
enclosed
within
the
breathing,
snoring
swathe
of
their
soldier-scented
sleep—smells
of
wood-smoke,
gun
oil,
cheap
sandalwood
soap,
piss,
shit,
sweat
soaking
into
wet-serge,
unwashed
human
and
horse
hair,
liniment
and
saddle-softener,
cumin
and
coriander,
peppermint
tooth
powder,
chai,
tobacco,
and
a
hundred
others—I
dreamed
with
them
of
homes
and
hearts
we
longed
to
see
again.
1174
lingam
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The phallic symbol under which Siva is principally worshiped in his character of the creative and reproductive power. Whitworth. E. Arnold.
"principally": In a principal manner; primarily; above all; chiefly; mainly.
Difficulty: 16.31
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 834
It
is
not
exactly
meaning
this,
but
it
is
sounding
like
ling,
or
lingam,
and
that
is
meaning
penis.’
1175
indigent
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Wanting; void; free; destitute; -- used with of. [Obs.] Bacon. 2. Destitute of property or means of comfortable subsistence; needy; poor; in want; necessitous. Indigent faint souls past corporal toil. Shak. Charity consists in relieving the indigent. Addison.
"necessitous": 1. Very needy or indigent; pressed with poverty. Necessitous heirs and penurious parents. Arbuthnot. 2. Narrow; destitute; pinching; pinched; as, necessitous circumstances. -- Ne*ces"si*tous*ly, adv. -- Ne*ces"si*tous*ness, n.
"subsistence": 1. Real being; existence. Not only the things had subsistence, but the very images were of some creatures existing. Stillingfleet. 2. Inherency; as, the subsistence of qualities in bodies. 3. That which furnishes support to animal life; means of support; provisions, or that which produces provisions; livelihood; as, a meager subsistence. His viceroy could only propose to himself a comfortable subsistence out of the plunder of his province. Addison. 4. (Theol.) Same as Hypostasis, 2. Hooker.
Difficulty: 16.31
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17345
It
was
always
possible
that
the
junkies,
runaways,
or
indigent
foreigners
who’d
sold
their
passports
to
our
agents
were
wanted
for
some
serious
offence
in
their
own
or
some
other
country.
1176
envelops
prev
next
Definition (envelop)
Definition (envelop)
To put a covering about; to wrap up or in; to inclose within a case, wrapper, integument or the like; to surround entirely; as, to envelop goods or a letter; the fog envelops a ship. Nocturnal shades this world envelop. J. Philips.
1. That which envelops, wraps up, encases, or surrounds; a wrapper; an inclosing cover; esp., the cover or wrapper of a document, as of a letter. 2. (Astron.) The nebulous covering of the head or nucleus of a comet; -- called also coma. 3. (Fort.) A work of earth, in the form of a single parapet or of a small rampart. It is sometimes raised in the ditch and sometimes beyond it. Wilhelm. 4. (Geom.) A curve or surface which is tangent to each member of a system of curves or surfaces, the form and position of the members of the system being allowed to vary according to some continuous law. Thus, any curve is the envelope of its tangents. push the envelope. It is used to refer to the maximum performance available at the current state of the technology, and therefore refers to a class of machines in general, not a specific machine. push the envelope Increase the capability of some type of machine or system; -- usu. by technological development.
"integument": That which naturally invests or covers another thing, as the testa or the tegmen of a seed; specifically (Anat.), a covering which invests the body, as the skin, or a membrane that invests a particular.
"nebulous": 1. Cloudy; hazy; misty. 2. (Astron.) Of, pertaining to, or having the appearance of, a nebula; nebular; cloudlike. -- Neb"u*lous*ly, adv. -- Neb"u*lous*ness, n.
"inclose": 1. To surround; to shut in; to confine on all sides; to include; to shut up; to encompass; as, to inclose a fort or an army with troops; to inclose a town with walls. How many evils have inclosed me round! Milton. 2. To put within a case, envelope, or the like; to fold (a thing) within another or into the same parcel; as, to inclose a letter or a bank note. The inclosed copies of the treaty. Sir W. Temple. 3. To separate from common grounds by a fence; as, to inclose lands. Blackstone. 4. To put into harness; to harness. [Obs.] They went to coach and their horse inclose. Chapman.
"parapet": 1. (Arch.) A low wall, especially one serving to protect the edge of a platform, roof, bridge, or the like. 2. (Fort.) A wall, rampart, or elevation of earth, for covering soldiers from an enemy's fire; a breastwork. See Illust. of Casemate.
Difficulty: 16.31
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 19386
The
sleeping
universe
enters
and
envelops
every
atom
of
existence.
1177
cloying
prev
next
Definition (cloy)
Definition (cloy)
1. To fill or choke up; to stop up; to clog. [Obs.] The duke's purpose was to have cloyed the harbor by sinking ships, laden with stones. Speed. 2. To glut, or satisfy, as the appetite; to satiate; to fill to loathing; to surfeit. [Who can] cloy the hungry edge of appetite By bare imagination of a feast Shak. He sometimes cloys his readers instead of satisfying. Dryden. 3. To penetrate or pierce; to wound. Which, with his cruel tusk, him deadly cloyed. Spenser. He never shod horse but he cloyed him. Bacon. 4. To spike, as a cannon. [Obs.] Johnson. 5. To stroke with a claw. [Obs.] Shak.
"shod": f Shoe.
"glut": 1. To swallow, or to swallow greedlly; to gorge. Though every drop of water swear against it, And gape at widest to glut him. Shak. 2. To fill to satiety; to satisfy fully the desire or craving of; to satiate; to sate; to cloy. His faithful heart, a bloody sacrifice, Torn from his breast, to glut the tyrant's eyes. Dryden. The realms of nature and of art were ransacked to glut the wonder, lust, and ferocity of a degraded populace. C. Kingsley. To glut the market, to furnish an oversupply of any article of trade, so that there is no sale for it.
To eat gluttonously or to satiety. Like three horses that have broken fence, And glutted all night long breast-deep in corn. Tennyson.
1. That which is swallowed. Milton 2. Plenty, to satiety or repletion; a full supply; hence, often, a supply beyond sufficiency or to loathing; over abundance; as, a glut of the market. A glut of those talents which raise men to eminence. Macaulay. 3. Something that fills up an opening; a clog. 4. (a) A wooden wedge used in splitting blocks. [Prov. Eng.] (b) (Mining) A piece of wood used to fill up behind cribbing or tubbing. Raymond. (c) (Bricklaying) A bat, or small piece of brick, used to fill out a course. Knight. (d) (Arch.) An arched opening to the ashpit of a klin. (e) A block used for a fulcrum. 5. (Zoöl.) The broad-nosed eel (Anguilla latirostris), found in Europe, Asia, the West Indies, etc.
"satiate": Filled to satiety; glutted; sated; -- followed by with or of. "Satiate of applause." Pope.
1. To satisfy the appetite or desire of; tho feed to the full; to furnish enjoyment to, to the extent of desire; to sate; as, to satiate appetite or sense. These [smells] rather woo the sense than satiate it. Bacon. I may yet survive the malice of my enemies, although they should be satiated with my blood. Eikon Basilike. 2. To full beyond matural desire; to gratify to repletion or loathing; to surfeit; to glut. 3. To saturate. [Obs.] Sir I. Newton. Syn. -- To satisfy; sate; suffice; cloy; gorge; overfill; surfeit; glut. -- Satiate, Satisfy, Content. These words differ principally in degree. To Content is to make contented, even though every desire or appetite is not fully gratified. To satisfy is to appease fully the longings of desire. To satiate is to fill so completely that it is not possible to receive or enjoy more; hence, to overfill; to cause disgust in. Content with science in the vale of peace. Pope. His whole felicity is endless strife; No peace, no satisfaction, crowns his life. Beaumont. He may be satiated, but not satisfied. Norris.
"surfeit": 1. Excess in eating and drinking. Let not Sir Surfeit sit at thy board. Piers Plowman. Now comes the sick hour that his surfeit made. Shak. 2. Fullness and oppression of the system, occasioned often by excessive eating and drinking. To prevent surfeit and other diseases that are incident to those that heat their blood by travels. Bunyan. 3. Disgust caused by excess; satiety. Sir P. Sidney. Matter and argument have been supplied abundantly, and even to surfeit. Burke.
1. To load the stomach with food, so that sickness or uneasiness ensues; to eat to excess. They are as sick that surfeit with too much as they that starve with nothing. Shak. 2. To indulge to satiety in any gratification.
1. To feed so as to oppress the stomach and derange the function of the system; to overfeed, and produce satiety, sickness, or uneasiness; -- often reflexive; as, to surfeit one's self with sweets. 2. To fill to satiety and disgust; to cloy; as, he surfeits us with compliments. V. Knox.
Difficulty: 16.30
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3190
In
all
the
furious
noise
of
the
cloying
press
of
bodies,
I
became
aware
of
one
word,
repeated
in
an
insistent
and
tormented
mantra:
Sarr
…
Sarr
…
Sarr
…
Sarr
…
Sarr
…
1178
cloy
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. To fill or choke up; to stop up; to clog. [Obs.] The duke's purpose was to have cloyed the harbor by sinking ships, laden with stones. Speed. 2. To glut, or satisfy, as the appetite; to satiate; to fill to loathing; to surfeit. [Who can] cloy the hungry edge of appetite By bare imagination of a feast Shak. He sometimes cloys his readers instead of satisfying. Dryden. 3. To penetrate or pierce; to wound. Which, with his cruel tusk, him deadly cloyed. Spenser. He never shod horse but he cloyed him. Bacon. 4. To spike, as a cannon. [Obs.] Johnson. 5. To stroke with a claw. [Obs.] Shak.
"shod": f Shoe.
"glut": 1. To swallow, or to swallow greedlly; to gorge. Though every drop of water swear against it, And gape at widest to glut him. Shak. 2. To fill to satiety; to satisfy fully the desire or craving of; to satiate; to sate; to cloy. His faithful heart, a bloody sacrifice, Torn from his breast, to glut the tyrant's eyes. Dryden. The realms of nature and of art were ransacked to glut the wonder, lust, and ferocity of a degraded populace. C. Kingsley. To glut the market, to furnish an oversupply of any article of trade, so that there is no sale for it.
To eat gluttonously or to satiety. Like three horses that have broken fence, And glutted all night long breast-deep in corn. Tennyson.
1. That which is swallowed. Milton 2. Plenty, to satiety or repletion; a full supply; hence, often, a supply beyond sufficiency or to loathing; over abundance; as, a glut of the market. A glut of those talents which raise men to eminence. Macaulay. 3. Something that fills up an opening; a clog. 4. (a) A wooden wedge used in splitting blocks. [Prov. Eng.] (b) (Mining) A piece of wood used to fill up behind cribbing or tubbing. Raymond. (c) (Bricklaying) A bat, or small piece of brick, used to fill out a course. Knight. (d) (Arch.) An arched opening to the ashpit of a klin. (e) A block used for a fulcrum. 5. (Zoöl.) The broad-nosed eel (Anguilla latirostris), found in Europe, Asia, the West Indies, etc.
"satiate": Filled to satiety; glutted; sated; -- followed by with or of. "Satiate of applause." Pope.
1. To satisfy the appetite or desire of; tho feed to the full; to furnish enjoyment to, to the extent of desire; to sate; as, to satiate appetite or sense. These [smells] rather woo the sense than satiate it. Bacon. I may yet survive the malice of my enemies, although they should be satiated with my blood. Eikon Basilike. 2. To full beyond matural desire; to gratify to repletion or loathing; to surfeit; to glut. 3. To saturate. [Obs.] Sir I. Newton. Syn. -- To satisfy; sate; suffice; cloy; gorge; overfill; surfeit; glut. -- Satiate, Satisfy, Content. These words differ principally in degree. To Content is to make contented, even though every desire or appetite is not fully gratified. To satisfy is to appease fully the longings of desire. To satiate is to fill so completely that it is not possible to receive or enjoy more; hence, to overfill; to cause disgust in. Content with science in the vale of peace. Pope. His whole felicity is endless strife; No peace, no satisfaction, crowns his life. Beaumont. He may be satiated, but not satisfied. Norris.
"surfeit": 1. Excess in eating and drinking. Let not Sir Surfeit sit at thy board. Piers Plowman. Now comes the sick hour that his surfeit made. Shak. 2. Fullness and oppression of the system, occasioned often by excessive eating and drinking. To prevent surfeit and other diseases that are incident to those that heat their blood by travels. Bunyan. 3. Disgust caused by excess; satiety. Sir P. Sidney. Matter and argument have been supplied abundantly, and even to surfeit. Burke.
1. To load the stomach with food, so that sickness or uneasiness ensues; to eat to excess. They are as sick that surfeit with too much as they that starve with nothing. Shak. 2. To indulge to satiety in any gratification.
1. To feed so as to oppress the stomach and derange the function of the system; to overfeed, and produce satiety, sickness, or uneasiness; -- often reflexive; as, to surfeit one's self with sweets. 2. To fill to satiety and disgust; to cloy; as, he surfeits us with compliments. V. Knox.
Difficulty: 16.30
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 5970
The
noise
around
me
was
dizzying,
and
the
once
pleasant
smell
of
the
fruits
and
the
charras
was
beginning
to
cloy
and
stifle.
1179
pilfering
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Thieving in a small way. Shak. -- n. Petty theft. -- Pil"fer*ing*ly, adv.
Difficulty: 16.30
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12521
I
am
what
they
call
a
serial
offensive,
against
the
pilfering
law.
1180
dissonance
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. A mingling of discordant sounds; an inharmonious combination of sounds; discord. Filled the air with barbarous dissonance. Milton. 2. Want of agreement; incongruity. Milton.
"incongruity": 1. The quality or state of being incongruous; want of congruity; unsuitableness; inconsistency; impropriety. The fathers make use of this acknowledgment of the incongruity of images to the Deity, from thence to prove the incongruity of the worship of them. Bp. Stillingfleet. 2. Disagreement of parts; want of symmetry or of harmony. [Obs.] 3. That which is incongruous; want of congruity.
"inharmonious": 1. Not harmonious; unmusical; discordant; dissonant. Sounds inharmonious in themselves and harsh. Cowper. 2. Conflicting; jarring; not in harmony.
Difficulty: 16.30
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21662
Sitting
there
against
a
stone
wall
in
an
all-but-Stone
Age
village
in
Afghanistan,
with
a
cargo
of
smuggled
guns
and
antibiotics
nearby,
the
dissonance
created
by
his
calm,
profound
discourse
about
good
and
evil,
and
light
and
life
and
consciousness,
was
enough
to
fill
me
with
exasperated
irritation.
1181
infiltrators
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.29
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6415
Their
customers
were
terrorists,
infiltrators,
separatists,
or
just
more
than
usually
ambitious
outlaws.
1182
shelved
prev
next
Definition (shelve)
Definition (shelve)
1. To furnish with shelves; as, to shelve a closet or a library. 2. To place on a shelf. Hence: To lay on the shelf; to put aside; to dismiss from service; to put off indefinitely; as, to shelve an officer; to shelve a claim.
To incline gradually; to be slopping; as, the bottom shelves from the shore.
Difficulty: 16.29
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13749
The
cops
concerned
had
realised,
at
once,
that
there
might
be
profit
in
keeping
quiet
about
it,
and
they’d
shelved
my
file
until
Vikram
approached
them
on
Khader’s
behalf.
1183
hothouse
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. A house kept warm to shelter tender plants and shrubs from the cold air; a place in which the plants of warmer climates may be reared, and fruits ripened. 2. A bagnio, or bathing house. [Obs.] Shak. 3. A brothel; a bagnio. [Obs.] B. Jonson. 4. (Pottery) A heated room for drying green ware.
"bagnio": 1. A house for bathing, sweating, etc.; -- also, in Turkey, a prison for slaves. [Obs.] 2. A brothel; a stew; a house of prostitution.
Difficulty: 16.29
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 16316
My
city
was
a
steaming,
sweltering
hothouse
garden
of
dreaming.
1184
goras
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.29
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17043
‘It
would
be
a
great
help
if
you
could
get
the
goras
for
me
when
we
need
them,’
Kalpana
said,
offering
me
what
seemed
to
be
a
well-practised
leer.
1185
gravitas
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.29
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 25249
And
those
attitudes,
their
gravitas
and
my
recusant
impulse
to
laugh,
registered
the
difference
between
us.
1186
incontrovertible
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Not controvertible; too clear or certain to admit of dispute; indisputable. Sir T. Browne. -- In*con`tro*ver"ti*ble*ness, n. -- In*con`tro*ver"ti*bly, adv.
"controvertible": Capable of being controverted; disputable; admitting of question. -- Con`tro*ver"ti*bly, adv.
Difficulty: 16.29
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 14786
There
was
such
apodictic
certitude
in
Khader’s
every
pronouncement,
such
a
decisive,
incontrovertible
assurance
in
the
man,
that
it
informed
and
composed
even
his
stillnesses
and
silences.
1187
sheaves
prev
next
Definition (sheave)
Definition (sheave)
A wheel having a groove in the rim for a rope to work in, and set in a block, mast, or the like; the wheel of a pulley. Sheave hole, a channel cut in a mast, yard, rail, or other timber, in which to fix a sheave.
To gather and bind into a sheaf or sheaves; hence, to collect. Ashmole.
"sheaf": A sheave. [R.]
1. A quantity of the stalks and ears of wheat, rye, or other grain, bound together; a bundle of grain or straw. The reaper fills his greedy hands, And binds the golden sheaves in brittle bands. Dryden. 2. Any collection of things bound together; a bundle; specifically, a bundle of arrows sufficient to fill a quiver, or the allowance of each archer, -- usually twenty-four. The sheaf of arrows shook and rattled in the case. Dryden.
To gather and bind into a sheaf; to make into sheaves; as, to sheaf wheat.
To collect and bind cut grain, or the like; to make sheaves. They that reap must sheaf and bind. Shak.
Difficulty: 16.29
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27945
It
was
a
bizarre
procession,
and
one
so
menacing
that
we
had
to
work
hard
to
make
the
professional
beggars
on
the
island
pathway
take
the
sheaves
of
rupee
notes
we’d
brought
as
alms.
1188
paraphrasing
prev
next
Definition (paraphrase)
Definition (paraphrase)
A restatement of a text, passage, or work, expressing the meaning of the original in another form, generally for the sake of its clearer and fuller exposition; a setting forth the signification of a text in other and ampler terms; a free translation or rendering; -- opposed to metaphrase. In paraphrase, or translation with latitude, the author's words are not so strictly followed as his sense. Dryden. Excellent paraphrases of the Psalms of David. I. Disraeli. His sermons a living paraphrase upon his practice. Sowth. The Targums are also called the Chaldaic or Aramaic Paraphrases. Shipley.
To express, interpret, or translate with latitude; to give the meaning of a passage in other language. We are put to construe and paraphrase our own words. Bp. Stillingfleet.
To make a paraphrase.
"construe": 1. To apply the rules of syntax to (a sentence or clause) so as to exhibit the structure, arrangement, or connection of, or to discover the sense; to explain the construction of; to interpret; to translate. 2. To put a construction upon; to explain the sense or intention of; to interpret; to understand. Thus we are put to construe and paraphrase our own words to free ourselves either from the ignorance or malice of our enemies. Bp. Stilingfleet. And to be dull was construed to be good. Pope.
"signification": 1. The act of signifying; a making known by signs or other means. A signification of being pleased. Landor. All speaking or signification of one's mind implies an act or addres of one man to another. South. 2. That which is signified or made known; that meaning which a sign, character, or token is intended to convey; as, the signification of words.
"chaldaic": Of or pertaining to Chaldes. -- n. The language or dialect of the Chaldeans; Chaldee.
"metaphrase": 1. A verbal translation; a version or translation from one language into another, word for word; -- opposed to paraphrase. Dryden. 2. An answering phrase; repartee. Mrs. Browning.
"aramaic": Pertaining to Aram, or to the territory, inhabitants, language, or literature of Syria and Mesopotamia; Aramæan; -- specifically applied to the northern branch of the Semitic family of languages, including Syriac and Chaldee. -- n. The Aramaic language.
Difficulty: 16.28
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8859
And
here,
in
the
third
paragraph
…
I
am
the
truth
in
their
world
of
lies,
I
am
the
light
in
their
darkness
of
greed,
my
way
of
blood
is
your
freedom—he’s
paraphrasing
something
…
I
am
the
Way
and
the
Truth
and
the
Light
…
and
it’s
also
in
the
Bible.
1189
sheepskins
prev
next
Definition (sheepskin)
Definition (sheepskin)
1. The skin of a sheep; or, leather prepared from it. 2. A diploma; -- so called because usually written or printed on parchment prepared from the skin of the sheep. [College Cant]
Difficulty: 16.28
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21208
The
baggage—the
goods
we
were
smuggling
into
Afghanistan,
and
our
personal
supplies—was
scattered
in
a
nearby
pasture,
covered
by
sheepskins
and
goatskins
to
give
the
appearance,
if
seen
from
the
air,
of
a
herd
of
livestock.
1190
unequivocal
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Not equivocal; not doubtful; not ambiguous; evident; sincere; plain; as, unequivocal evidence; unequivocal words. -- Un`e*quiv"o*cal*ly, adv. -- Un`e*quiv"o*cal*ness, n.
"equivocal": 1. (Literally, called equally one thing or the other; hence:) Having two significations equally applicable; capable of double interpretation; of doubtful meaning; ambiguous; uncertain; as, equivocal words; an equivocal sentence. For the beauties of Shakespeare are not of so dim or equivocal a nature as to be visible only to learned eyes. Jeffrey. 2. Capable of being ascribed to different motives, or of signifying opposite feelings, purposes, or characters; deserving to be suspected; as, his actions are equivocal. "Equivocal repentances." Milton. 3. Uncertain, as an indication or sign; doubtful. "How equivocal a test." Burke. Equivocal chord (Mus.), a chord which can be resolved into several distinct keys; one whose intervals, being all minor thirds, do not clearly indicate its fundamental tone or root; the chord of the diminished triad, and the diminished seventh. Syn. -- Ambiguous; doubtful; uncertain; indeterminate. -- Equivocal, Ambiguous. We call an expression ambiguous when it has one general meaning, and yet contains certain words which may be taken in two different senses; or certain clauses which can be so connected with other clauses as to divide the mind between different views of part of the meaning intended. We call an expression equivocal when, taken as a whole, it conveys a given thought with perfect clearness and propriety, and also another thought with equal propriety and clearness. Such were the responses often given by the Delphic oracle; as that to Crambiguous is a mere blunder of language; what is equivocal is usually intended to deceive, though it may occur at times from mere inadvertence. Equivocation is applied only to cases where there is a design to deceive.
A word or expression capable of different meanings; an ambiguous term; an equivoque. In languages of great ductility, equivocals like that just referred to are rarely found. Fitzed. Hall.
Difficulty: 16.28
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27292
That
unequivocal
involvement,
one
with
another,
and
its
unquestioning
support—stronger
and
more
urgent
than
even
the
co-operation
I’d
seen
in
Prabaker’s
village—was
something
I’d
lost
when
I’d
left
the
slum
to
live
in
the
comfortable,
richer
world.
1191
inasmuch
prev
next
Definition
Definition
In like degree; in like manner; seeing that; considering that; since; -- followed by as. See In as much as, under In, prep. Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. Matt. xxv. 45. Syn. -- Because; since; for; as. See Because.
Difficulty: 16.28
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27328
Jeetendra
seemed
to
have
recovered,
inasmuch
as
such
a
thing
is
possible,
from
the
death
of
his
wife
in
the
cholera
epidemic.
1192
ceding
prev
next
Definition (cede)
Definition (cede)
To yield or surrender; to give up; to resign; as, to cede a fortress, a province, or country, to another nation, by treaty. The people must cede to the government some of their natural rights. Jay.
Difficulty: 16.27
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4862
That
involved
a
staggered
retreat,
ceding
land
to
the
flames
all
the
while,
and
then
launching
counter-attacks
wherever
the
fire
seemed
to
weaken.
1194
warble
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. (Far.) (a) A small, hard tumor which is produced on the back of a horse by the heat or pressure of the saddle in traveling. (b) A small tumor produced by the larvæ of the gadfly in the backs of horses, cattle, etc. Called also warblet, warbeetle, warnles. 2. (Zoöl.) See Wormil.
1. To sing in a trilling, quavering, or vibratory manner; to modulate with turns or variations; to trill; as, certain birds are remarkable for warbling their songs. 2. To utter musically; to modulate; to carol. If she be right invoked in warbled song. Milton. Warbling sweet the nuptial lay. Trumbull. 3. To cause to quaver or vibrate. "And touch the warbled string." Milton.
1. To be quavered or modulated; to be uttered melodiously. Such strains ne'er warble in the linnet's throat. Gay. 3. To sing in a trilling manner, or with many turns and variations. "Birds on the branches warbling." Milton. 3. To sing with sudden changes from chest to head tones; to yodel.
A quavering modulation of the voice; a musical trill; a song. And he, the wondrous child, Whose silver warble wild Outvalued every pulsing sound. Emerson.
"gadfly": Any dipterous insect of the genus Oestrus, and allied genera of botflies. Note: The sheep gadfly (Oestrus ovis) deposits its young in the nostrils of sheep, and the larvæ develop in the frontal sinuses. The common species which infests cattle (Hypoderma bovis) deposits its eggs upon or in the skin where the larvæ or bots live and produce sores called wormels. The gadflies of the horse produce the intestinal parasites called bots. See Botfly, and Bots. The true horseflies are often erroneously called gadflies, and the true gadflies are sometimes incorrectly called breeze flies. Gadfly petrel (Zoöl.), one of several small petrels of the genus Oestrelata.
"quaver": 1. To tremble; to vibrate; to shake. Sir I. Newton. 2. Especially, to shake the voice; to utter or form sound with rapid or tremulous vibrations, as in singing; also, to trill on a musical instrument
To utter with quavers. We shall hear her quavering them . . . to some sprightly airs of the opera. Addison.
1. A shake, or rapid and tremulous vibration, of the voice, or of an instrument of music. 2. (Mus.) An eighth note. See Eighth.
"modulate": 1. To form, as sound, to a certain key, or to a certain portion. 2. To vary or inflect in a natural, customary, or musical manner; as, the organs of speech modulate the voice in reading or speaking. Could any person so modulate her voice as to deceive so many Broome.
To pass from one key into another.
"modulation": 1. The act of modulating, or the state of being modulated; as, the modulation of the voice. 2. Sound modulated; melody. [R.] Thomson. 3. (Mus.) A change of key, whether transient, or until the music becomes established in the new key; a shifting of the tonality of a piece, so that the harmonies all center upon a new keynote or tonic; the art of transition out of the original key into one nearly related, and so on, it may be, by successive changes, into a key quite remote. There are also sudden and unprepared modulations.
"vibratory": Consisting in, or causing, vibration, or oscillation; vibrating; as, a vibratory motion; a vibratory power.
"linnet": Any one of several species of fringilline birds of the genera Linota, Acanthis, and allied genera, esp. the common European species (L. cannabina), which, in full summer plumage, is chestnut brown above, with the breast more or less crimson. The feathers of its head are grayish brown, tipped with crimson. Called also gray linnet, red linnet, rose linnet, brown linnet, lintie, lintwhite, gorse thatcher, linnet finch, and greater redpoll. The American redpoll linnet (Acanthis linaria) often has the crown and throat rosy. See Redpoll, and Twite. Green linnet (Zoöl.), the European green finch.
"wormil": 1. (Zoöl.) Any botfly larva which burrows in or beneath the skin of domestic and wild animals, thus producing sores. They belong to various species of Hypoderma and allied genera. Domestic cattle are often infested by a large species. See Gadfly. Called also warble, and worble. [Written also wormal, wormul, and wornil.] 2. (Far.) See 1st Warble, 1 (b).
Difficulty: 16.27
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 19868
‘What’s
going
on,
Karla?’
I
asked,
hearing
my
voice
crack
and
warble
as
I
spoke.
1195
ceded
prev
next
Definition (cede)
Definition (cede)
To yield or surrender; to give up; to resign; as, to cede a fortress, a province, or country, to another nation, by treaty. The people must cede to the government some of their natural rights. Jay.
Difficulty: 16.27
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26236
Walid
was
still
the
head
of
the
council
that
bore
his
name,
but
he
was
old
and
he
was
ill.
He’d
ceded
so
much
power
to
Chuha
that
it
was
the
younger
don
who
ruled.
1196
gape
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. To open the mouth wide; as: (a) Expressing a desire for food; as, young birds gape. Dryden. (b) Indicating sleepiness or indifference; to yawn. She stretches, gapes, unglues her eyes, And asks if it be time to rise. Swift. (c) Showing self-forgetfulness in surprise, astonishment, expectation, etc. With gaping wonderment had stared aghast. Byron. (d) Manifesting a desire to injure, devour, or overcome. They have gaped upon me with their mouth. Job xvi. 10. 2. To pen or part widely; to exhibit a gap, fissure, or hiatus. May that ground gape and swallow me alive! Shak. 3. To long, wait eagerly, or cry aloud for something; -- with for, after, or at. The hungry grave for her due tribute gapes. Denham. Syn. -- To gaze; stare; yawn. See Gaze.
1. The act of gaping; a yawn. Addison. 2. (Zoöl.) The width of the mouth when opened, as of birds, fishes, etc.
"wonderment": Surprise; astonishment; a wonderful appearance; a wonder. Bacon. All the common sights they view, Their wonderment engage. Sir W. Scott.
"aghast": To affright; to terrify. [Obs.] Chaucer. Spenser.
See Agast, v. t. [Obs.]
Terrified; struck with amazement; showing signs of terror or horror. Aghast he waked; and, starting from his bed, Cold sweat in clammy drops his limbs o'erspread. Dryden. The commissioners read and stood aghast. Macaulay.
"gapes": (a) A fit of yawning. (b) A disease of young poultry and other birds, attended with much gaping. It is caused by a parasitic nematode worm (Syngamus trachealis), in the windpipe, which obstructs the breathing. See Gapeworm.
"sleepiness": The quality or state of being sleepy.
Difficulty: 16.27
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26616
The
gape
of
those
eyes
was
so
unnerving
in
the
flame-lit
lane
that
I
had
to
steel
myself
not
to
flinch
or
draw
back
when
he
reached
out
to
put
his
palm
on
my
chest.
1197
assenting
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Giving or implying assent. -- As*sent"ing*ly, adv.
Difficulty: 16.27
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 28355
Much
closer,
ocean
music
gushed
onto
the
soft
assenting
shore,
and
the
palms
above
us
trembled
in
the
cooling
breeze.
1198
intricacies
prev
next
Definition (intricacy)
Definition (intricacy)
The state or quality of being intricate or entangled; perplexity; involution; complication; complexity; that which is intricate or involved; as, the intricacy of a knot; the intricacy of accounts; the intricacy of a cause in controversy; the intricacy of a plot. Freed from intricacies, taught to live The easiest way. Milton.
"perplexity": The quality or state of being perplexed or puzzled; complication; intricacy; entanglement; distraction of mind through doubt or difficulty; embarrassment; bewilderment; doubt. By their own perplexities involved, They ravel more. Milton.
"involution": 1. The act of involving or infolding. 2. The state of being entangled or involved; complication; entanglement. All things are mixed, and causes blended, by mutual involutions. Glanvill. 3. That in which anything is involved, folded, or wrapped; envelope. Sir T. Browne. 4. (Gram.) The insertion of one or more clauses between the subject and the verb, in a way that involves or complicates the construction. 5. (Math.) The act or process of raising a quantity to any power assigned; the multiplication of a quantity into itself a given number of times; -- the reverse of evolution. 6. (Geom.) The relation which exists between three or more sets of points, a.a', b.b', c.c', so related to a point O on the line, that the product Oa.Oa' = Ob.Ob' = Oc.Oc' is constant. Sets of lines or surfaces possessing corresponding properties may be in involution. 7. (Med.) The return of an enlarged part or organ to its normal size, as of the uterus after pregnancy.
Difficulty: 16.27
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6141
The
detailed
intricacies
of
balconies,
window
surrounds,
and
stepped
facades
reflected
a
luxurious
elegance
that
the
modern
city,
for
all
its
chrome
and
glamour,
rarely
afforded
itself.
1199
watermarks
prev
next
Definition (watermark)
Definition (watermark)
1. A mark indicating the height to which water has risen, or at which it has stood; the usual limit of high or low water. 2. A letter, device, or the like, wrought into paper during the process of manufacture. Note: "The watermark in paper is produced by bending the wires of the mold, or by wires bent into the shape of the required letter or device, and sewed to the surface of the mold; -- it has the effect of making the paper thinner in places. The old makers employed watermarks of an eccentric kind. Those of Caxton and other early printers were an oxhead and star, a collared dog's head, a crown, a shield, a jug, etc. A fool's cap and bells, employed as a watermark, gave the name to foolscap paper; a postman's horn, such as was formerly in use, gave the name to post paper." Tomlinson. 3. (Naut.) See Water line, 2. [R.]
"caxton": Any book printed by William Caxton, the first English printer. Hansard.
"foolscap": A writing paper made in sheets, ordinarily 16 x 13 inches, and folded so as to make a page 13 x 8 inches. See Paper.
"oxhead": Literally, the head of an ox (emblem of cuckoldom); hence, a dolt; a blockhead. Dost make a mummer of me, oxhead Marston.
Difficulty: 16.27
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15872
He
examines
the
pages
of
genuine
passports,
looking
for
watermarks
and
concealed
patterns.
1200
parapet
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. (Arch.) A low wall, especially one serving to protect the edge of a platform, roof, bridge, or the like. 2. (Fort.) A wall, rampart, or elevation of earth, for covering soldiers from an enemy's fire; a breastwork. See Illust. of Casemate.
"casemate": 1. (Fort.) A bombproof chamber, usually of masonry, in which cannon may be placed, to be fired through embrasures; or one capable of being used as a magazine, or for quartering troops. 2. (Arch.) A hollow molding, chiefly in cornices.
"breastwork": 1. (Fort.) A defensive work of moderate height, hastily thrown up, of earth or other material. 2. (Naut.) A railing on the quarter-deck and forecastle.
Difficulty: 16.26
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 5307
I
clambered
over
the
bluestone
parapet,
and
took
hold
of
the
cord.
1201
basalt
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. (Geol.) A rock of igneous origin, consisting of augite and triclinic feldspar, with grains of magnetic or titanic iron, and also bottle- green particles of olivine frequently disseminated. Note: It is usually of a greenish black color, or of some dull brown shade, or black. It constitutes immense beds in some regions, and also occurs in veins or dikes cutting through other rocks. It has often a prismatic structure as at the Giant's Causeway, in Ireland, where the columns are as regular as if the work of art. It is a very tough and heavy rock, and is one of the best materials for macadamizing roads. 2. An imitation, in pottery, of natural basalt; a kind of black porcelain.
"feldspar": A name given to a group of minerals, closely related in crystalline form, and all silicates of alumina with either potash, soda, lime, or, in one case, baryta. They occur in crystals and crystalline masses, vitreous in luster, and breaking rather easily in two directions at right angles to each other, or nearly so. The colors are usually white or nearly white, flesh-red, bluish, or greenish. Note: The group includes the monoclinic (orthoclastic) species orthoclase or common potash feldspar, and the rare hyalophane or baryta feldspar; also the triclinic species (called in general plagioclase) microcline, like orthoclase a potash feldspar; anorthite or lime feldspar; albite or soda feldspar; also intermediate between the last two species, labradorite, andesine, oligoclase, containing both lime and soda in varying amounts. The feldspars are essential constituents of nearly all crystalline rocks, as granite, gneiss, mica, slate, most kinds of basalt and trachyte, etc. The decomposition of feldspar has yielded a large part of the clay of the soil, also the mineral kaolin, an essential material in the making of fine pottery. Common feldspar is itself largely used for the same purpose.
"triclinic": Having, or characterized by, three unequal axes intersecting at oblique angles. See the Note under crystallization.
"augite": A variety of pyroxene, usually of a black or dark green color, occurring in igneous rocks, such as basalt; -- also used instead of the general term pyroxene.
"disseminated": Occurring in small portions scattered through some other substance.
"igneous": 1. Pertaining to, having the nature of, fire; containing fire; resembling fire; as, an igneous appearance. 2. (Geol.) Resulting from, or produced by, the action of fire; as, lavas and basalt are igneous rocks.
"prismatic": 1. Resembling, or pertaining to, a prism; as, a prismatic form or cleavage. 2. Separated or distributed by a prism; formed by a prism; as, prismatic colors. 3. (Crystallog.) Same as Orthorhombic. Prismatic borax (Chem.), borax crystallized in the form of oblique prisms, with ten molecules of water; -- distinguished from octahedral borax. -- Prismatic colors (Opt.), the seven colors into which light is resolved when passed through a prism; primary colors. See Primary colors, under Color. -- Prismatic compass (Surv.), a compass having a prism for viewing a distant object and the compass card at the same time. -- Prismatic spectrum (Opt.), the spectrum produced by the passage of light through a prism.
"olivine": A common name of the yellowish green mineral chrysolite, esp. the variety found in eruptive rocks.
"greenish": Somewhat green; having a tinge of green; as, a greenish yellow. -- Green"ish*ness, n.
Difficulty: 16.26
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 22628
The
anger
in
me
was
as
hard
and
heavy
as
a
basalt
hearthstone,
and
I
knew
it
would
take
years
to
wear
down,
but
I
couldn’t
hate
them.
1202
deplored
prev
next
Definition (deplore)
Definition (deplore)
1. To feel or to express deep and poignant grief for; to bewail; to lament; to mourn; to sorrow over. To find her, or forever to deplore Her loss. Milton. As some sad turtle his lost love deplores. Pope. 2. To complain of. [Obs.] Shak. 3. To regard as hopeless; to give up. [Obs.] Bacon. Syn. -- To Deplore, Mourn, Lament, Bewail, Bemoan. Mourn is the generic term, denoting a state of grief or sadness. To lament is to express grief by outcries, and denotes an earnest and strong expression of sorrow. To deplore marks a deeper and more prolonged emotion. To bewail and to bemoan are appropriate only to cases of poignant distress, in which the grief finds utterance either in wailing or in moans and sobs. A man laments his errors, and deplores the ruin they have brought on his family; mothers bewail or bemoan the loss of their children.
To lament. Gray.
"bemoan": To express deep grief for by moaning; to express sorrow for; to lament; to bewail; to pity or sympathize with. Implores their pity, and his pain bemoans. Dryden. Syn. -- See Deplore.
"bewail": To express deep sorrow for, as by wailing; to lament; to wail over. Hath widowed and unchilded many a one, Which to this hour bewail the injury. Shak. Syn. -- To bemoan; grieve. -- See Deplore.
To express grief; to lament. Shak.
"utterance": 1. The act of uttering. Specifically: -- (a) Sale by offering to the public. [Obs.] Bacon. (b) Putting in circulation; as, the utterance of false coin, or of forged notes. (c) Vocal expression; articulation; speech. At length gave utterance to these words. Milton. 2. Power or style of speaking; as, a good utterance. They . . . began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts ii. 4. O, how unlike To that large utterance of the early gods! Keats.
The last extremity; the end; death; outrance. [Obs.] Annibal forced those captives whom he had taken of our men to skirmish one against another to the utterance. Holland.
Difficulty: 16.26
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4130
I
was
always
ready,
too
ready,
to
fight
for
what
I
loved,
and
against
what
I
deplored.
1203
stencils
prev
next
Definition (stencil)
Definition (stencil)
A thin plate of metal, leather, or other material, used in painting, marking, etc. The pattern is cut out of the plate, which is then laid flat on the surface to be marked, and the color brushed over it. Called also stencil plate.
To mark, paint, or color in figures with stencils; to form or print by means of a stencil.
Difficulty: 16.26
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8388
The
fingers
of
his
outstretched
hand
were
stained
with
henna
stencils.
1204
marksmen
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.26
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9991
It
reminded
me
of
the
look
that
marksmen
concentrate
on
their
targets
in
a
firing
range.
1205
inexorably
prev
next
Definition
Definition
In an inexorable manner; inflexibly. "Inexorably firm." Thomson.
"inexorable": Not to be persuaded or moved by entreaty or prayer; firm; determined; unyielding; unchangeable; inflexible; relentless; as, an inexorable prince or tyrant; an inexorable judge. "Inexorable equality of laws." Gibbon. "Death's inexorable doom." Dryden. You are more inhuman, more inexorable, O, ten times more than tigers of Hyrcania. Shak.
"inflexibly": In an inflexible manner.
Difficulty: 16.26
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 10478
The
whole
pack
crept
inexorably
closer.
1206
sequential
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Succeeding or following in order. -- Se*quen"tial*ly, adv.
Difficulty: 16.26
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18148
We
had
to
ask
questions
and
prompt
her
into
a
more
sequential
account,
but
little
by
little
we
got
it
all.
1207
precipitated
prev
next
Definition (precipitate)
Definition (precipitate)
1. Overhasty; rash; as, the king was too precipitate in declaring war. Clarendon. 2. Lacking due deliberation or care; hurried; said or done before the time; as, a precipitate measure. "The rapidity of our too precipitate course." Landor. 3. Falling, flowing, or rushing, with steep descent; headlong. Precipitate the furious torrent flows. Prior. 4. Ending quickly in death; brief and fatal; as, a precipitate case of disease. [Obs.] Arbuthnot.
An insoluble substance separated from a solution in a concrete state by the action of some reagent added to the solution, or of some force, such as heat or cold. The precipitate may fall to the bottom (whence the name), may be diffused through the solution, or may float at or near the surface. Red precipitate (Old. Chem), mercuric oxide (HgO) a heavy red crystalline powder obtained by heating mercuric nitrate, or by heating mercury in the air. Prepared in the latter manner, it was the precipitate per se of the alchemists. -- White precipitate (Old Chem.) (a) A heavy white amorphous powder (NH2.HgCl) obtained by adding ammonia to a solution of mercuric chloride or corrosive sublimate; -- formerly called also infusible white precipitate, and now amido-mercuric chloride. (b) A white crystalline substance obtained by adding a solution of corrosive sublimate to a solution of sal ammoniac (ammonium chloride); -- formerly called also fusible white precipitate.
1. To throw headlong; to cast down from a precipice or height. She and her horse had been precipitated to the pebbled region of the river. W. Irving. 2. To urge or press on with eager haste or violence; to cause to happen, or come to a crisis, suddenly or too soon; as, precipitate a journey, or a conflict. Back to his sight precipitates her steps. Glover. If they be daring, it may precipitate their designs, and prove dangerous. Bacon. 3. (Chem.) To separate from a solution, or other medium, in the form of a precipitate; as, water precipitates camphor when in solution with alcohol. The light vapor of the preceding evening had been precipitated by the cold. W. Irving.
1. To dash or fall headlong. [R.] So many fathom down precipitating. Shak. 2. To hasten without preparation. [R.] 3. (Chem.) To separate from a solution as a precipitate. See Precipitate, n.
"fusible": CapabIe of being melted or liquefied. Fusible metal, any alloy of different metals capable of being easily fused, especially an alloy of five parts of bismuth, three of lead, and two of tin, which melts at a temperature below that of boiling water. Ure. -- Fusible plug (Steam Boiler), a piece of easily fusible alloy, placed in one of the sheets and intended to melt and blow off the steam in case of low water.
"mercuric": Of, pertaining to, or derived from, mercury; containing mercury; -- said of those compounds of mercury into which this element enters in its lowest proportion. Mercuric chloride, corrosive sublimate. See Corrosive.
"ammoniac": Of or pertaining to ammonia, or possessing its properties; as, an ammoniac salt; ammoniacal gas. Ammoniacal engine, an engine in which the vapor of ammonia is used as the motive force. -- Sal ammoniac Etym: [L. sal ammoniacus], the salt usually called chloride of ammonium, and formerly muriate of ammonia.
The concrete juice (gum resin) of an umbelliferous plant, the Dorema ammoniacum. It is brought chiefly from Persia in the form of yellowish tears, which occur singly, or are aggregated into masses. It has a peculiar smell, and a nauseous, sweet taste, followed by a bitter one. It is inflammable, partially soluble in water and in spirit of wine, and is used in medicine as an expectorant and resolvent, and for the formation of certain plasters.
"amorphous": 1. Having no determinate form; of irregular; shapeless. Kirwan. 2. Without crystallization in the ultimate texture of a solid substance; uncrystallized. 3. Of no particular kind or character; anomalous. Scientific treatises . . . are not seldom rude and amorphous in style. Hare. -- A*mor"phous*ly, adv. -- A*mor"phous*ness, n.
"insoluble": 1. Not soluble; in capable or difficult of being dissolved, as by a liquid; as, chalk is insoluble in water. 2. Not to be solved or explained; insolvable; as, an insoluble doubt, question, or difficulty. 3. Strong. "An insoluble wall." [Obs.] Holland
"overhasty": Too hasty; precipitate; rash. -- O"ver*has"ti*ly, adv. -- O`ver*has"ti*ness, n.
"reagent": A substance capable of producing with another a reaction, especially when employed to detect the presence of other bodies; a test.
"infusible": Capable of being infused. Doctrines being infusible into all. Hammond.
Not fusible; incapble or difficalt of fusion, or of being dissolved or melted. Sir T. Browne. The best crucibles are made of Limoges earth, which seems absolutely infusible. Lavoisier (Trans. ).
"clarendon": A style of type having a narrow and heave face. It is made in all sizes. Note: This line is in nonpareil Clarendon.
"diffused": Spread abroad; dispersed; loose; flowing; diffuse. It grew to be a widely diffused opinion. Hawthorne. -- Dif*fus"ed*ly, adv. -- Dif*fus"ed*ness, n.
"rapidity": The quality or state of being rapid; swiftness; celerity; velocity; as, the rapidity of growth or improvement. Syn. -- -- Rapidness; haste; speed; celerity; velocity; swiftness; fleetness; quickness; agility.
"pebbled": Abounding in pebbles. Thomson.
"sublimate": 1. To bring by heat into the state of vapor, which, on cooling, returns again to the solid state; as, to sublimate sulphur or camphor. 2. To refine and exalt; to heighten; to elevate. The precepts of Christianity are . . . so apt to cleanse and sublimate the more gross and corrupt. Dr. H. More.
A product obtained by sublimation; hence, also, a purified product so obtained. Corrosive sublimate. (Chem.) See under Corrosive.
Brought into a state of vapor by heat, and again condensed as a solid.
Difficulty: 16.26
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24046
That
action
had
precipitated
the
attack
that
was
being
planned
by
Massoud’s
mujaheddin,
who
must’ve
seen
the
firing
as
a
pre-emptive
strike
by
the
Russians.
1208
pithy
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Consisting wholly, or in part, of pith; abounding in pith; as, a pithy stem; a pithy fruit. 2. Having nervous energy; forceful; cogent. This pithy speech prevailed, and all agreed. Dryden. In all these Goodman Fact was very short, but pithy. Addison. Pithy gall (Zoöl.), a large, rough, furrowed, oblong gall, formed on blackberry canes by a small gallfly (Diastrophus nebulosus).
"pith": 1. (Bot.) The soft spongy substance in the center of the stems of many plants and trees, especially those of the dicotyledonous or exogenous classes. It consists of cellular tissue. 2. (a) (Zoöl.) The spongy interior substance of a feather. (b) (Anat.) The spinal cord; the marrow. 3. Hence: The which contains the strength of life; the vital or essential part; concentrated force; vigor; strength; importance; as, the speech lacked pith. Enterprises of great pith and moment. Shak. Pith paper. Same as Rice paper, under Rice.
To destroy the central nervous system of (an animal, as a frog), as by passing a stout wire or needle up and down the vertebral canal.
"gallfly": An insect that deposits its eggs in plants, and occasions galls, esp. any small hymenopteran of the genus Cynips and allied genera. See Illust. of Gall.
"cogent": 1. Compelling, in a physical sense; powerful. [Obs.] The cogent force of nature. Prior. 2. Having the power to compel conviction or move the will; constraining; conclusive; forcible; powerful; not easily reasisted. No better nor more cogent reason. Dr. H. More. Proofs of the most cogent description. Tyndall. The tongue whose strains were cogent as commands, Revered at home, and felt in foreign lands. Cowper. Syn. -- Forcible; powerful; potent; urgent; strong; persuasive; convincing; conclusive; influential.
"oblong": Having greater length than breadth, esp. when rectangular.
A rectangular figure longer than it is broad; hence, any figure longer than it is broad. The best figure of a garden I esteem an oblong upon a descent. Sir W. Temple.
Difficulty: 16.25
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2074
He
added
a
pithy
curse,
for
good
measure,
but
the
driver
only
became
more
enraged.
1209
congeniality
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The state or quality of being congenial; natural affinity; adaptation; suitableness. Sir J. Reynolds. If congeniality of tastes could have made a marriage happy, that union should have been thrice blessed. Motley.
"congenial": 1. Partaking of the same nature; allied by natural characteristics; kindred; sympathetic. Congenial souls! whose life one avarice joins. Pope. 2. Naturally adapted; suited to the disposition. "Congenial clime." C. J. Fox. To defame the excellence with which it has no sympathy . . . is its congenial work. I. Taylor.
Difficulty: 16.25
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15911
My
enthusiasm
fuelled
their
natural
congeniality,
and
that
first
conversation
flowed
with
good
humour.
1210
anemones
prev
next
Definition (anemone)
Definition (anemone)
1. (Bot.) A genus of plants of the Ranunculus or Crowfoot family; windflower. Some of the species are cultivated in gardens. 2. (Zoöl.) The sea anemone. See Actinia, and Sea anemone. Note: This word is sometimes pronounced , especially by classical scholars.
"windflower": The anemone; -- so called because formerly supposed to open only when the wind was blowing. See Anemone.
"ranunculus": A genus of herbs, mostly with yellow flowers, including crowfoot, buttercups, and the cultivated ranunculi (R. Asiaticus, R. aconitifolius, etc.) in which the flowers are double and of various colors.
"actinia": (a) An animal of the class Anthozoa, and family Actinidæ. From a resemblance to flowers in form and color, they are often called animal flowers and sea anemones. [See Polyp.]. (b) A genus in the family Actinidæ.
"crowfoot": 1. (Bot.) The genus Ranunculus, of many species; some are common weeds, others are flowering plants of considerable beauty. 2. (Naut.) A number of small cords rove through a long block, or euphroe, to suspend an awning by. 3. (Mil.) A caltrop. [Written also crow's-foot.] 4. (Well Boring) A tool with a side claw for recovering broken rods, etc. Raymond.
Difficulty: 16.25
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18632
In
another
yard
some
women
were
squatting
together,
washing
dishes
with
small
anemones
of
coir
rope
and
a
long
bar
of
coral-coloured
soap.
1211
chamois
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. (Zoöl.) A small species of antelope (Rupicapra tragus), living on the loftiest mountain ridges of Europe, as the Alps, Pyrenees, etc. It possesses remarkable agility, and is a favorite object of chase. 2. A soft leather made from the skin of the chamois, or from sheepskin, etc.; -- called also chamois leather, and chammy or shammy leather. See Shammy.
"shammy": 1. (Zoöl.) The chamois. 2. A soft, pliant leather, prepared originally from the skin of the chamois, but now made also from the skin of the sheep, goat, kid, deer, and calf. See Shamoying. [Written also chamois, shamoy, and shamois.]
"tragus": The prominence in front of the external opening of the ear. See Illust. under Ear.
"sheepskin": 1. The skin of a sheep; or, leather prepared from it. 2. A diploma; -- so called because usually written or printed on parchment prepared from the skin of the sheep. [College Cant]
Difficulty: 16.25
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20875
He
had
a
parcel
wrapped
in
cream
chamois
leather
under
his
arm.
1212
salacious
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Having a propensity to venery; lustful; lecherous. Dryden. -- Sa*la"cious*ly, dv. -- Sa*la"cious*ness, n.
"venery": Sexual love; sexual intercourse; coition. Contentment, without the pleasure of lawful venery, is continence; of unlawful, chastity. Grew.
The art, act, or practice of hunting; the sports of the chase. "Beasts of venery and fishes." Sir T. Browne. I love hunting and venery. Chaucer.
Difficulty: 16.25
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26086
Local
people
knew
that
our
branch
of
the
mafia
did
a
better
job
than
the
police
at
keeping
heroin
and
salacious
crimes
from
their
streets.
1213
languished
prev
next
Definition (languish)
Definition (languish)
1. To become languid or weak; to lose strength or animation; to be or become dull, feeble or spiritless; to pine away; to wither or fade. We . . . do languish of such diseases. 2 Esdras viii. 31. Cease, fond nature, cease thy strife, And let me landguish into life. Pope. For the fields of Heshbon languish. Is. xvi. 8. 2. To assume an expression of weariness or tender grief, appealing for sympathy. Tennyson. Syn. -- To pine; wither; fade; droop; faint.
To cause to dr [Obs.] Shak. Dryden.
See Languishiment. [Obs. or Poetic] What, of death, too, That rids our dogs of languish Shak. And the blue languish of soft Allia's eye. Pope.
"spiritless": 1. Destitute of spirit; wanting animation; wanting cheerfulness; dejected; depressed. 2. Destitute of vigor; wanting life, courage, or fire. A men so faint, so spiritless, So dull, so dead in lock, so woebegone. Shak. 3. Having no breath; extinct; dead. "The spiritless body." Greenhill. -- Spir"it*less*ly, adv. -- Spir"it*less*ness, n.
"droop": 1. To hang bending downward; to sink or hang down, as an animal, plant, etc., from physical inability or exhaustion, want of nourishment, or the like. "The purple flowers droop." "Above her drooped a lamp." Tennyson. I saw him ten days before he died, and observed he began very much to droop and languish. Swift. 2. To grow weak or faint with disappointment, grief, or like causes; to be dispirited or depressed; to languish; as, her spirits drooped. I'll animate the soldier's drooping courage. Addison. 3. To proceed downward, or toward a close; to decline. "Then day drooped." Tennyson.
To let droop or sink. [R.] M. Arnold. Like to a withered vine That droops his sapless branches to the ground. Shak.
A drooping; as, a droop of the eye.
"languid": 1. Drooping or flagging from exhaustion; indisposed to exertion; without animation; weak; weary; heavy; dull. " Languid, powerless limbs. " Armstrong. Fire their languid souls with Cato's virtue. Addison. 2. Slow in progress; tardy. " No motion so swift or languid." Bentley. 3. Promoting or indicating weakness or heaviness; as, a languid day. Feebly she laugheth in the languid moon. Keats. Their idleness, aimless and languid airs. W. Black. Syn. -- Feeble; weak; faint; sickly; pining; exhausted; weary; listless; heavy; dull; heartless. -- Lan"guid*ly, adv. -- Lan"guid*ness, n.
Difficulty: 16.24
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3895
Forlorn
and
broken-hearted,
she
languished
in
misery
and
the
minimal
routine
of
caring
for
her
daughters.
1214
welts
prev
next
Definition (welt)
Definition (welt)
1. That which, being sewed or otherwise fastened to an edge or border, serves to guard, strengthen, or adorn it; as; (a) A small cord covered with cloth and sewed on a seam or border to strengthen it; an edge of cloth folded on itself, usually over a cord, and sewed down. (b) A hem, border, or fringe. [Obs.] (c) In shoemaking, a narrow strip of leather around a shoe, between the upper leather and sole. (d) In steam boilers and sheet-iron work, a strip riveted upon the edges of plates that form a butt joint. (e) In carpentry, a strip of wood fastened over a flush seam or joint, or an angle, to strengthen it. (f) In machine-made stockings, a strip, or flap, of which the heel is formed. 2. (Her.) A narrow border, as of an ordinary, but not extending around the ends. Welt joint, a joint, as of plates, made with a welt, instead of by overlapping the edges. See Weld, n., 1 (d).
To furnish with a welt; to sew or fasten a welt on; as, to welt a boot or a shoe; to welt a sleeve.
To wilt. [R.]
"shoemaking": The business of a shoemaker.
Difficulty: 16.24
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6689
She’d
been
cruelly
beaten
with
some
kind
of
stick,
and
blue-red
welts
crossed
and
slashed
her
back,
buttocks,
and
legs.
1215
patchouli
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. (Bot.) A mintlike plant (Pogostemon Patchouli) of the East Indies, yielding an essential oil from which a highly valued perfume is made. 2. The perfume made from this plant. Patchouly camphor (Chem.), a substance homologous with and resembling borneol, found in patchouly oil.
"homologous": Having the same relative position, proportion, value, or structure. Especially: (a) (Geom.) Corresponding in relative position and proportion. In similar polygons, the corresponding sides, angles, diagonals, etc., are homologous. Davies & Peck (Math. Dict. ). (b) (Alg.) Having the same relative proportion or value, as the two antecedents or the two consequents of a proportion. (c) (Chem.) Characterized by homology; belonging to the same type or series; corresponding in composition and properties. See Homology, 3. (d) (Biol.) Being of the same typical structure; having like relations to a fundamental type to structure; as, those bones in the hand of man and the fore foot of a horse are homologous that correspond in their structural relations, that is, in thier relations to the type structure of the fore limb in vertebrates. Homologous stimulus. (Physiol.) See under Stimulus.
"patchouly": 1. (Bot.) A mintlike plant (Pogostemon Patchouli) of the East Indies, yielding an essential oil from which a highly valued perfume is made. 2. The perfume made from this plant. Patchouly camphor (Chem.), a substance homologous with and resembling borneol, found in patchouly oil.
"borneol": A rare variety of camphor, C10H17.OH, resembling ordinary camphor, from which it can be produced by reduction. It is said to occur in the camphor tree of Borneo and Sumatra (Dryobalanops camphora), but the natural borneol is rarely found in European or American commerce, being in great request by the Chinese. Called also Borneo camphor, Malay camphor, and camphol.
Difficulty: 16.24
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6904
In
one
of
those
balancing
contrasts
of
slum
life,
it
was
also
the
hour
chosen
by
the
incense-sellers
to
move
through
the
lanes,
burning
their
samples
of
sandalwood,
jasmine,
rose,
and
patchouli.
1216
biers
prev
next
Definition (bier)
Definition (bier)
1. A handbarrow or portable frame on which a corpse is placed or borne to the grave. 2. (Weaving) A count of forty threads in the warp or chain of woolen cloth. Knight.
"woolen": 1. Made of wool; consisting of wool; as, woolen goods. 2. Of or pertaining to wool or woolen cloths; as, woolen manufactures; a woolen mill; a woolen draper. Woolen scribbler, a machine for combing or preparing wool in thin, downy, translucent layers.
Cloth made of wool; woollen goods.
"handbarrow": A frame or barrow, without a wheel, carried by hand.
Difficulty: 16.24
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11771
The
procession
of
children
that
ran
with
us
behind
the
biers
carrying
those
little
bodies,
garlanded
with
flowers,
wailed
their
grief
so
piteously
that
many
strangers
on
the
busy
streets
paused
in
prayer,
and
felt
the
sudden
burn
and
sting
of
tears.
1217
rasp
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. To rub or file with a rasp; to rub or grate with a rough file; as, to rasp wood to make it smooth; to rasp bones to powder. 2. Hence, figuratively: To grate harshly upon; to offend by coarse or rough treatment or language; as, some sounds rasp the ear; his insults rasped my temper.
1. A coarse file, on which the cutting prominences are distinct points raised by the oblique stroke of a sharp punch, instead of lines raised by a chisel, as on the true file. 2. The raspberry. [Obs.] "Set sorrel amongst rasps, and the rasps will be smaller." Bacon. Rasp palm (Bot.), a Brazilian palm tree (Iriartea exorhiza) which has strong aërial roots like a screw pine. The roots have a hard, rough surface, and are used by the natives for graters and rasps, whence the common name.
"exorhiza": A plant Whose radicle is not inclosed or sheathed by the cotyledons or plumule. Gray.
"oblique": 1. Not erect or perpendicular; neither parallel to, nor at right angles from, the base; slanting; inclined. It has a direction oblique to that of the former motion. Cheyne. 2. Not straightforward; indirect; obscure; hence, disingenuous; underhand; perverse; sinister. The love we bear our friends... Hath in it certain oblique ends. Drayton. This mode of oblique research, when a more direct one is denied, we find to be the only one in our power. De Quincey. Then would be closed the restless, oblique eye. That looks for evil, like a treacherous spy. Wordworth. 3. Not direct in descent; not following the line of father and son; collateral. His natural affection in a direct line was strong, in an oblique but weak. Baker. Oblique angle, Oblique ascension, etc. See under Angle,Ascension, etc. -- Oblique arch (Arch.), an arch whose jambs are not at right angles with the face, and whose intrados is in consequence askew. -- Oblique bridge, a skew bridge. See under Bridge, n. -- Oblique case (Gram.), any case except the nominative. See Case, n. -- Oblique circle (Projection), a circle whose plane is oblique to the axis of the primitive plane. -- Oblique fire (Mil.), a fire the direction of which is not perpendicular to the line fired at. -- Oblique flank (Fort.), that part of the curtain whence the fire of the opposite bastion may be discovered. Wilhelm. -- Oblique leaf. (Bot.) (a) A leaf twisted or inclined from the normal position. (b) A leaf having one half different from the other. -- Oblique line (Geom.), a line that, meeting or tending to meet another, makes oblique angles with it. -- Oblique motion (Mus.), a kind of motion or progression in which one part ascends or descends, while the other prolongs or repeats the same tone, as in the accompanying example. -- Oblique muscle (Anat.), a muscle acting in a direction oblique to the mesial plane of the body, or to the associated muscles; -- applied especially to two muscles of the eyeball. -- Oblique narration. See Oblique speech. -- Oblique planes (Dialing), planes which decline from the zenith, or incline toward the horizon. -- Oblique sailing (Naut.), the movement of a ship when she sails upon some rhumb between the four cardinal points, making an oblique angle with the meridian. -- Oblique speech (Rhet.), speech which is quoted indirectly, or in a different person from that employed by the original speaker. -- Oblique sphere (Astron. & Geog.), the celestial or terrestrial sphere when its axis is oblique to the horizon of the place; or as it appears to an observer at any point on the earth except the poles and the equator. -- Oblique step (Mil.), a step in marching, by which the soldier, while advancing, gradually takes ground to the right or left at an angle of about 25º. It is not now practiced. Wilhelm. -- Oblique system of coördinates (Anal. Geom.), a system in which the coördinate axes are oblique to each other.
An oblique line.
1. To deviate from a perpendicular line; to move in an oblique direction. Projecting his person towards it in a line which obliqued from the bottom of his spine. Sir. W. Scott. 2. (Mil.) To march in a direction oblique to the line of the column or platoon; -- formerly accomplished by oblique steps, now by direct steps, the men half-facing either to the right or left.
Difficulty: 16.24
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 22990
I
saw
the
fear
rasp
across
his
scarred
face.
1218
loath
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Hateful; odious; disliked. [Obs.] Chaucer. 2. Filled with disgust or aversion; averse; unwilling; reluctant; as, loath to part. Full loth were him to curse for his tithes. Chaucer . Why, then, though loath, yet must I be content. Shak.
"loth": See Loath, Loathly, etc.
Difficulty: 16.24
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 28523
My
shadows
twirled
with
every
street
light,
dragging
loath
behind
me
and
then
rushing
on
ahead.
1219
marauding
prev
next
Definition (maraud)
Definition (maraud)
To rove in quest of plunder; to make an excursion for booty; to plunder. "Marauding hosts." Milman.
An excursion for plundering.
Difficulty: 16.24
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6529
Johnny
Cigar
chose
to
organise
several
street
kids
into
a
marauding
band
of
pirates
who
plundered
the
neighbourhood
for
pieces
of
tin,
canvas,
and
plastic.
1220
lattice
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Any work of wood or metal, made by crossing laths, or thin strips, and forming a network; as, the lattice of a window; -- called also latticework. The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the lattice. Judg. v. 28. 2. (Her.) The representation of a piece of latticework used as a bearing, the bands being vertical and horizontal. Lattice bridge, a bridge supported by lattice girders, or latticework trusses. -- Lattice girder (Arch.), a girder of which the wed consists of diagonal pieces crossing each other in the manner of latticework. -- Lattice plant (Bot.), an aquatic plant of Madagascar (Ouvirandra fenestralis), whose leaves have interstices between their ribs and cross veins, so as to resemble latticework. A second species is O. Berneriana. The genus is merged in Aponogeton by recent authors.
1. To make a lattice of; as, to lattice timbers. 2. To close, as an opening, with latticework; to furnish with a lattice; as, to lattice a window. To lattice up, to cover or inclose with a lattice. Therein it seemeth he [Alexander] hath latticed up Cæsar. Sir T. North.
"latticework": Same as Lattice, n., 1.
"girder": One who girds; a satirist.
1. One who, or that which, girds. 2. (Arch. & Engin.) A main beam; a stright, horizontal beam to span an opening or carry weight, such as ends of floor beams, etc.; hence, a framed or built-up member discharging the same office, technically called a compound girder. See Illusts. of Frame, and Doubleframed floor, under Double. Bowstring girder, Box girder, etc. See under Bowstring, Box, etc. -- Girder bridge. See under Bridge. -- Lattice girder, a girder consisting of longitudinal bars united by diagonal crossing bars. -- Half-lattice girder, a girder consisting of horizontal upper and lower bars connected by a series of diagonal bars sloping alternately in opposite directions so as to divide the space between the bars into a series of triangles. Knight. -- Sandwich girder, a girder consisting of two parallel wooden beams, between which is an iron plate, the whole clamped together by iron bolts.
"inclose": 1. To surround; to shut in; to confine on all sides; to include; to shut up; to encompass; as, to inclose a fort or an army with troops; to inclose a town with walls. How many evils have inclosed me round! Milton. 2. To put within a case, envelope, or the like; to fold (a thing) within another or into the same parcel; as, to inclose a letter or a bank note. The inclosed copies of the treaty. Sir W. Temple. 3. To separate from common grounds by a fence; as, to inclose lands. Blackstone. 4. To put into harness; to harness. [Obs.] They went to coach and their horse inclose. Chapman.
Difficulty: 16.24
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8414
Startled,
I
peered
into
the
lattice
of
metal,
but
the
room
beyond
it
was
black
and
I
could
see
nothing.
1221
pyjama
prev
next
Definition
Definition
In India and Persia, thin loose trowsers or drawers; in Europe and America, drawers worn at night, or a kind of nightdress with legs. [Written also paijama.]
"paijama": Pyjama.
"trowsers": Same as Trousers.
"nightdress": A nightgown.
Difficulty: 16.24
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9986
She
was
wearing
a
red
silk
pyjama
jacket,
and
nothing
else.
1222
latticed
prev
next
Definition (lattice)
Definition (lattice)
1. Any work of wood or metal, made by crossing laths, or thin strips, and forming a network; as, the lattice of a window; -- called also latticework. The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the lattice. Judg. v. 28. 2. (Her.) The representation of a piece of latticework used as a bearing, the bands being vertical and horizontal. Lattice bridge, a bridge supported by lattice girders, or latticework trusses. -- Lattice girder (Arch.), a girder of which the wed consists of diagonal pieces crossing each other in the manner of latticework. -- Lattice plant (Bot.), an aquatic plant of Madagascar (Ouvirandra fenestralis), whose leaves have interstices between their ribs and cross veins, so as to resemble latticework. A second species is O. Berneriana. The genus is merged in Aponogeton by recent authors.
1. To make a lattice of; as, to lattice timbers. 2. To close, as an opening, with latticework; to furnish with a lattice; as, to lattice a window. To lattice up, to cover or inclose with a lattice. Therein it seemeth he [Alexander] hath latticed up Cæsar. Sir T. North.
"latticework": Same as Lattice, n., 1.
"girder": One who girds; a satirist.
1. One who, or that which, girds. 2. (Arch. & Engin.) A main beam; a stright, horizontal beam to span an opening or carry weight, such as ends of floor beams, etc.; hence, a framed or built-up member discharging the same office, technically called a compound girder. See Illusts. of Frame, and Doubleframed floor, under Double. Bowstring girder, Box girder, etc. See under Bowstring, Box, etc. -- Girder bridge. See under Bridge. -- Lattice girder, a girder consisting of longitudinal bars united by diagonal crossing bars. -- Half-lattice girder, a girder consisting of horizontal upper and lower bars connected by a series of diagonal bars sloping alternately in opposite directions so as to divide the space between the bars into a series of triangles. Knight. -- Sandwich girder, a girder consisting of two parallel wooden beams, between which is an iron plate, the whole clamped together by iron bolts.
"inclose": 1. To surround; to shut in; to confine on all sides; to include; to shut up; to encompass; as, to inclose a fort or an army with troops; to inclose a town with walls. How many evils have inclosed me round! Milton. 2. To put within a case, envelope, or the like; to fold (a thing) within another or into the same parcel; as, to inclose a letter or a bank note. The inclosed copies of the treaty. Sir W. Temple. 3. To separate from common grounds by a fence; as, to inclose lands. Blackstone. 4. To put into harness; to harness. [Obs.] They went to coach and their horse inclose. Chapman.
Difficulty: 16.24
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 10410
On
our
right
was
the
fringe
of
the
construction
site,
marked
here
and
there
by
low
piles
of
timber,
latticed
steel,
and
other
materials.
1223
snakeskin
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.24
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12890
A
snakeskin
pattern
of
lathi
bruises
covered
their
bare
arms
and
legs.
1224
embezzlers
prev
next
Definition (embezzler)
Definition (embezzler)
One who embezzles.
Difficulty: 16.24
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17391
Abdul’s
agents
in
South
America,
Asia,
and
Africa
established
contact
with
embezzlers,
torturers,
mandarins,
and
martinets
who’d
supported
fallen
tyrannies.
1225
furrowed
prev
next
Definition (furrow)
Definition (furrow)
1. A trench in the earth made by, or as by, a plow. 2. Any trench, channel, or groove, as in wood or metal; a wrinkle on the face; as, the furrows of age. Farrow weed a weed which grows on plowed land. Shak. -- To draw a straight furrow, to live correctly; not to deviate from the right line of duty. Lowell.
1. To cut a furrow in; to make furrows in; to plow; as, to furrow the ground or sea. Shak. 2. To mark with channels or with wrinkles. Thou canst help time to furrow me with age. Shak. Fair cheeks were furrowed with hot tears. Byron.
Difficulty: 16.24
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23810
Mazdur
Gul,
the
stonemason,
whose
name
means
labourer,
and
whose
hands
were
permanently
grey-white
from
decades
of
work
with
granite
…
Daoud,
who
liked
to
be
called
by
the
English
version
of
his
name,
David,
and
whose
dream
it
was
to
visit
the
great
city
of
New
York
and
eat
a
meal
in
a
fine
restaurant
…
Zamaanat,
whose
name
means
trust,
and
whose
brave
smile
concealed
the
agony
of
shame
he’d
felt
that
his
whole
family
lived
in
hungry
squalor
at
Jalozai,
a
huge
refugee
camp
near
Peshawar
…
Hajji
Akbar,
who’d
been
appointed
as
the
doctor
in
the
unit
for
no
other
reason
than
that
he’d
once
spent
two
months
as
a
patient
in
a
Kabul
hospital,
and
who’d
greeted
my
acceptance
of
the
doctor’s
job,
when
I
arrived
at
the
mountain
camp,
with
prayers
and
a
little
Dervish
dance
of
joy
…
Alef,
the
mischievously
satirical
Pashtun
trader,
who
died
crawling
in
the
snow
with
his
back
torn
open
and
his
clothes
on
fire
…
Juma
and
Hanif,
the
two
wild
boys
who
were
killed
by
the
madman
Habib
…
Jalalaad,
their
fearless
young
friend,
who
died
in
the
last
charge
…
Ala-ud-Din,
whose
name
in
English
is
shortened
to
Aladdin,
and
who
escaped
unscathed
…
Suleiman
Shahbadi,
of
the
furrowed
brow
and
sorrowing
eyes,
who
died
leading
us
into
the
guns.
1226
pompadour
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A crimson or pink color; also, a style of dress cut low and square in the neck; also, a mode of dressing the hair by drawing it straight back from the forehead over a roll; -- so called after the Marchioness de Pompadour of France. Also much used adjectively.
"adjectively": In the manner of an adjective; as, a word used adjectively.
Difficulty: 16.24
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24599
The
thick
coils
of
the
black,
pompadour
wig
hung
slightly
askew,
revealing
the
short,
sparse
grey
hair
beneath.
1227
laborious
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Requiring labor, perseverance, or sacrifices; toilsome; tiresome. Dost thou love watchings, abstinence, or toil, Laborious virtues all Learn these from Cato. Addison. 2. Devoted to labor; diligent; industrious; as, a laborious mechanic. -- La*bo"ri*ous*ly, adv. -- La*bo"ri*ous*ness, n.
"toilsome": Attended with toil, or fatigue and pain; laborious; wearisome; as, toilsome work. What can be toilsome in these pleasant walks Milton. -- Toil"some*ly, adv. -- Toil"some*ness, n.
Difficulty: 16.23
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9645
I
rarely
bothered
with
the
laborious
and
time-consuming
procedure
of
heating
several
pots
of
water
on
the
kerosene
stove,
preferring
the
lazier,
if
less
luxurious,
option
of
a
cold-water
bath.
1228
cosmological
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Of or pertaining to cosmology.
Difficulty: 16.23
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21611
While
I’d
run
through
the
summary
of
his
cosmological
model,
he’d
closed
his
eyes
and
nodded
his
head,
pursing
his
lips
in
a
half
smile.
1229
jutted
prev
next
Definition (jut)
Definition (jut)
1. To shoot out or forward; to project beyond the main body; as, the jutting part of a building. "In jutting rock and curved shore." Wordsworth. It seems to jut out of the structure of the poem. Sir T. Browne. 2. To butt. [Obs.] "The jutting steer." Mason.
1. That which projects or juts; a projection. 2. A shove; a push. [Obs.] Udall.
"jutting": Projecting, as corbels, cornices, etc. -- Jut"ting*ly, adv.
Difficulty: 16.22
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2281
Here
and
there,
small
balconies
jutted
out
to
meet
one
another
overhead,
so
close
that
neighbours
could
reach
across
and
pass
things
with
an
out-stretched
hand.
1230
fishnet
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.22
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2639
Ulla
was
dressed
for
work
in
a
small,
tight,
black,
halter-neck
dress,
fishnet
stockings,
and
stiletto-heel
shoes.
1231
tuft
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. A collection of small, flexible, or soft things in a knot or bunch; a waving or bending and spreading cluster; as, a tuft of flowers or feathers. 2. A cluster; a clump; as, a tuft of plants. Under a tuft of shade. Milton. Green lake, and cedar fuft, and spicy glade. Keble. 3. A nobleman, or person of quality, especially in the English universities; -- so called from the tuft, or gold tassel, on the cap worn by them. [Cant, Eng.] Several young tufts, and others of the faster men. T. Hughes.
1. To separate into tufts. 2. To adorn with tufts or with a tuft. Thomson.
To grow in, or form, a tuft or tufts.
"tassel": A male hawk. See Tercel.
A kind of bur used in dressing cloth; a teasel.
1. A pendent ornament, attached to the corners of cushions, to curtains, and the like, ending in a tuft of loose threads or cords. 2. The flower or head of some plants, esp. when pendent. And the maize field grew and ripened, Till it stood in all the splendor Of its garments green and yellow, Of its tassels and its plumage. Longfellow. 3. A narrow silk ribbon, or the like, sewed to a book to be put between the leaves. 4. (Arch.) A piece of board that is laid upon a wall as a sort of plate, to give a level surface to the ends of floor timbers; -- rarely used in the United States. Tassel flower (Bot.), a name of several composite plants of the genus Cineraria, especially the C. sconchifolia, and of the blossoms which they bear.
To put forth a tassel or flower; as, maize tassels.
To adorn with tassels. Chaucer.
Difficulty: 16.22
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3608
Each
thrust
penetrated
the
thick
hide,
and
raised
a
little
tuft
of
cream
brown
fur.
1232
jut
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. To shoot out or forward; to project beyond the main body; as, the jutting part of a building. "In jutting rock and curved shore." Wordsworth. It seems to jut out of the structure of the poem. Sir T. Browne. 2. To butt. [Obs.] "The jutting steer." Mason.
1. That which projects or juts; a projection. 2. A shove; a push. [Obs.] Udall.
"jutting": Projecting, as corbels, cornices, etc. -- Jut"ting*ly, adv.
Difficulty: 16.22
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21582
Moreover,
my
short,
bow-legged
friend,
whose
bulky
arms
seemed
to
jut
outward
from
the
tree-trunk
of
his
thick
neck
and
chest,
was
by
far
the
best
dancer
in
the
entire
assembly,
and
quickly
earned
their
admiration.
1233
minuscule
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Any very small, minute object. 2. A small Roman letter which is neither capital nor uncial; a manuscript written in such letters. -- a. Of the size and style of minuscules; written in minuscules. These minuscule letters are cursive forms of the earlier uncials. I. Taylor (The Alphabet).
"cursive": Running; flowing. Cursive hand,a running handwriting.
1. A character used in cursive writing. 2. A manuscript, especially of the New Testament, written in small, connected characters or in a running hand; -- opposed to uncial. Shipley.
"uncial": Of, pertaining to, or designating, a certain style of letters used in ancient manuscripts, esp. in Greek and Latin manuscripts. The letters are somewhat rounded, and the upstrokes and downstrokes usually have a slight inclination. These letters were used as early as the 1st century b. c., and were seldom used after the 10th century a. d., being superseded by the cursive style.
An uncial letter.
Difficulty: 16.21
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8882
It
was
so
potent,
and
came
with
such
force
from
the
water-pipe,
that
almost
at
once
my
bloodshot
eyes
failed
in
focus
and
I
experienced
a
mild,
hallucinatory
effect:
the
blurring
at
the
edges
of
other
people’s
faces,
and
a
minuscule
time-delay
in
their
movements.
1234
mightily
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. In a mighty manner; with might; with great earnestness; vigorously; powerfully. Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. Col. i. 29. 2. To a great degree; very much. Practical jokes amused us mightily. Hawthorne.
"earnestness": The state or quality of being earnest; intentness; anxiety. An honest earnestness in the young man's manner. W. Irving.
"whereunto": Same as Whereto.
Difficulty: 16.20
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15051
‘I
give
you
fair
warnin’,
Lin,’
Gemini
said,
sighing
mightily.
1235
gawked
prev
next
Definition (gawk)
Definition (gawk)
1. A cuckoo. Johnson. 2. A simpleton; a booby; a gawky. Carlyle.
To act like a gawky.
"gawky": Foolish and awkward; clumsy; clownish; as, gawky behavior. -- n. A fellow who is awkward from being overgrown, or from stupidity, a gawk.
Difficulty: 16.20
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23354
‘Jesus!’
I
gawked.
1236
incandescent
prev
next
Definition
Definition
White, glowing, or luminous, with intense heat; as, incandescent carbon or platinum; hence, clear; shining; brilliant. Holy Scripture become resplendent; or, as one might say, incandescent throughout. I. Taylor. Incandescent lamp or light (Elec.), a kind of lamp in which the light is produced by a thin filament of conducting material, usually carbon, contained in a vacuum, and heated to incandescence by an electric current, as in the Edison lamp; -- called also incandescence lamp, and glowlamp.
"resplendent": Shining with brilliant luster; very bright. -- Re*splen"dent*ly, adv. With royal arras and resplendent gold. Spenser.
"glowlamp": 1. (Chem.) An aphlogistic lamp. See Aphlogistic. 2. (Elect.) An incandescent lamp. See Incandescent, a.
"filament": A thread or threadlike object or appendage; a fiber; esp. (Bot.), the threadlike part of the stamen supporting the anther.
"incandescence": A white heat, or the glowing or luminous whiteness of a body caused by intense heat.
Difficulty: 16.20
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 28294
Her
eyes,
pale
with
moonlight;
her
eyes,
the
green
of
water
lilies
after
the
rain;
her
long
hair,
black
as
forest
river
stones;
her
hair
that
was
like
holding
the
night
itself
in
the
wrap
of
my
fingers;
her
lips,
starred
with
incandescent
light;
lips
of
camellia-petal
softness
warmed
with
secret
whispers.
1237
singe
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. To burn slightly or superficially; to burn the surface of; to burn the ends or outside of; as, to singe the hair or the skin. You sulphurous and thought-executing fires, . . . Singe my white head! Shak. I singed the toes of an ape through a burning glass. L'Estrange. 2. (a) To remove the nap of (cloth), by passing it rapidly over a red- hot bar, or over a flame, preliminary to dyeing it. (b) To remove the hair or down from (a plucked chicken or the like) by passing it over a flame.
A burning of the surface; a slight burn.
"sulphurous": 1. Of or pertaining to sulphur. 2. (Chem.) (a) Derived from, or containing, sulphur; specifically, designating those compounds in which the element has a lower valence as contrasted with the sulphuric compounds. (b) Having the characteristic odor of sulphur dioxide, or of hydrogen sulphide, or of other sulphur compounds. Sulphurous acid. (a) Sulphur dioxide. See under Sulphur. [Obs.] (b) An acid, H2SO3, not known in the free state except as a solution of sulphur dioxide in water, but forming a well-known series of salts (the sulphites). -- Sulphurous anhydride (Chem.), sulphur dioxide. See under Sulphur.
Difficulty: 16.19
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 5323
I
felt
it
singe
and
burn.
1238
indiscernible
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next
Definition
Definition
Not to be discerned; imperceptible; not discoverable or visible. Secret and indiscernible ways. Jer. Taylor. -- In`dis*cern"i*ble*ness, n. -- In`dis*cern"i*bly, adv.
"discoverable": Capable of being discovered, found out, or perceived; as, many minute animals are discoverable only by the help of the microscope; truths discoverable by human industry.
"imperceptible": Not perceptible; not to be apprehended or cognized by the souses; not discernible by the mind; not easily apprehended. Almost imperceptible to the touch. Dryden. Its operation is slow, and in some cases almost imperceptible. Burke. -- Im`per*cep"ti*ble*ness, n. -- Im`per*cep"ti*bly, adv. Their . . . subility and imperceptibleness. Sir M. Hale.
Difficulty: 16.19
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6308
The
disease
was
indiscernible
in
the
many
children
I
saw.
1239
opulent
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Having a large estate or property; wealthy; rich; affluent; as, an opulent city; an opulent citizen. -- Op"u*lent*ly, adv. I will piece Her opulent throne with kingdoms. Shak.
Difficulty: 16.19
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13654
They,
too,
had
caches
of
undeclared,
untaxed
money
under
their
opulent
beds.
1240
opulently
prev
next
Definition (opulent)
Definition (opulent)
Having a large estate or property; wealthy; rich; affluent; as, an opulent city; an opulent citizen. -- Op"u*lent*ly, adv. I will piece Her opulent throne with kingdoms. Shak.
Difficulty: 16.19
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 16999
The
Sea
Rock,
which
was
as
luxurious
and
opulently
serviced
as
the
other
five-star
hotels
in
Bombay,
offered
the
special
attraction
that
it
was
literally
built
upon
the
sea
rocks
at
Juhu.
1241
straddled
prev
next
Definition (straddle)
Definition (straddle)
1. To part the legs wide; to stand or to walk with the legs far apart. 2. To stand with the ends staggered; -- said of the spokes of a wagon wheel where they join the hub.
To place one leg on one side and the other on the other side of; to stand or sit astride of; as, to straddle a fence or a horse.
1. The act of standing, sitting, or walking, with the feet far apart. 2. The position, or the distance between the feet, of one who straddles; as, a wide straddle. 3. A stock option giving the holder the double privilege of a "put" and a "call," i. e., securing to the buyer of the option the right either to demand of the seller at a certain price, within a certain time, certain securities, or to require him to take at the same price, and within the same time, the same securities. [Broker's Cant]
Difficulty: 16.19
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 28077
I
kicked
the
bike
to
life
and
straddled
it,
pushing
away
from
the
kerb
with
my
legs
and
pointing
it
in
the
direction
of
Nana
Chowk
and
Colaba.
1242
aglow
prev
next
Definition
Definition
In a glow; glowing; as, cheeks aglow; the landscape all aglow.
Difficulty: 16.19
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11169
‘I
gave
to
him
a
few
good
whacks
with
the
stick
my
own
self!’
Prabaker
added,
his
face
aglow
with
happy
excitement.
1243
saucepan
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A small pan with a handle, in which sauce is prepared over a fire; a stewpan.
"stewpan": A pan used for stewing.
Difficulty: 16.19
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12401
The
fifteen
princes,
unstinting
in
the
pursuit
of
their
comforts,
had
bribed
the
cops
to
provide
a
small
saucepan,
and
several
plastic
bottles
and
containers,
in
which
to
store
chai
and
food.
1244
lichens
prev
next
Definition (lichen)
Definition (lichen)
1. (Bot.) One of a class of cellular, flowerless plants, (technically called Lichenes), having no distinction of leaf and stem, usually of scaly, expanded, frond-like forms, but sometimes erect or pendulous and variously branched. They derive their nourishment from the air, and generate by means of spores. The species are very widely distributed, and form irregular spots or patches, usually of a greenish or yellowish color, upon rocks, trees, and various bodies, to which they adhere with great tenacity. They are often improperly called rock moss or tree moss. Note: A favorite modern theory of lichens (called after its inventor the Schwendener hypothesis), is that they are not autonomous plants, but that they consist of ascigerous fungi, parasitic on algæ. Each lichen is composed of white filaments and green, or greenish, rounded cells, and it is argued that the two are of different nature, the one living at the expense of the other. See Hyphæ, and Gonidia. 2. (Med.) A name given to several varieties of skin disease, esp. to one characterized by the eruption of small, conical or flat, reddish pimples, which, if unchecked, tend to spread and produce great and even fatal exhaustion.
"flowerless": Having no flowers. Flowerless plants, plants which have no true flowers, and produce no seeds; cryptigamous plants.
"ascigerous": Having asci. Loudon.
"conical": 1. Having the form of, or resembling, a geometrical cone; round and tapering to a point, or gradually lessening in circumference; as, a conic or conical figure; a conical vessel. 2. Of or pertaining to a cone; as, conic sections. Conic section (Geom.), a curved line formed by the intersection of the surface of a right cone and a plane. The conic sections are the parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola. The right lines and the circle which result from certain positions of the plane are sometimes, though not generally included. -- Conic sections, that branch of geometry which treats of the parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola. -- Conical pendulum. See Pendulum. -- Conical projection, a method of delineating the surface of a sphere upon a plane surface as if projected upon the surface of a cone; -- much used by makers of maps in Europe. -- Conical surface (Geom.), a surface described by a right line moving along any curve and always passing through a fixed point that is not in the plane of that curve.
"pendulous": 1. Depending; pendent loosely; hanging; swinging. Shak. "The pendulous round earth. Milton. 2. Wavering; unstable; doubtful. [R.] "A pendulous state of mind." Atterbury. 3. (Bot.) Inclined or hanging downwards, as a flower on a recurved stalk, or an ovule which hangs from the upper part of the ovary.
"yellowish": Somewhat yellow; as, amber is of a yellowish color. -- Yel"low*ish*ness, n.
"variously": In various or different ways.
"greenish": Somewhat green; having a tinge of green; as, a greenish yellow. -- Green"ish*ness, n.
Difficulty: 16.19
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21469
There
were
lime-green
mosses
on
many
of
the
rocks,
and
paler
lichens
on
others.
1245
revelry
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next
Definition
Definition
The act of engaging in a revel; noisy festivity; reveling. And pomp and feast and revelry. Milton.
"festivity": 1. The condition of being festive; social joy or exhilaration of spirits at an entertaintment; joyfulness; gayety. The unrestrained festivity of the rustic youth. Bp. Hurd. 2. A festival; a festive celebration. Sir T. Browne.
Difficulty: 16.18
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11209
Didier,
too,
was
drawn
into
the
avalanche
of
revelry
that
ploughed
through
the
long
lane
to
the
street.
1246
crochet
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A kind of knitting done by means of a hooked needle, with worsted, silk, or cotton; crochet work. Commonly used adjectively. Crochet hook, Crochet needle, a small hook, or a hooked needle (often of bone), used in crochet work.
To knit with a crochet needle or hook; as, to rochett a shawl.
"adjectively": In the manner of an adjective; as, a word used adjectively.
"worsted": 1. Well-twisted yarn spun of long-staple wool which has been combed to lay the fibers parallel, used for carpets, cloth, hosiery, gloves, and the like. 2. Fine and soft woolen yarn, untwisted or lightly twisted, used in knitting and embroidery.
Difficulty: 16.18
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15923
Photographs
were
substituted,
and
the
ridge-marks
or
indentations
of
a
heavy
stamp
were
imitated,
using
something
as
humble
as
a
crochet
hook.
1247
wracked
prev
next
Definition (wrack)
Definition (wrack)
A thin, flying cloud; a rack.
To rack; to torment. [R.]
1. Wreck; ruin; destruction. [Obs.] Chaucer. "A world devote to universal wrack." Milton. wrack and ruin 2. Any marine vegetation cast up on the shore, especially plants of the genera Fucus, Laminaria, and Zostera, which are most abundant on northern shores. 3. (Bot.) Coarse seaweed of any kind. Wrack grass, or Grass wrack (Bot.), eelgrass.
To wreck. [Obs.] Dryden.
"eelgrass": A plant (Zostera marina), with very long and narrow leaves, growing abundantly in shallow bays along the North Atlantic coast.
"genera": See Genus.
"laminaria": A genus of great seaweeds with long and broad fronds; kelp, or devil's apron. The fronds commonly grow in clusters, and are sometimes from thirty to fifty feet in length. See Illust. of Kelp.
"fucus": 1. A paint; a dye; also, false show. [Obs.] 2. (Bot.) A genus of tough, leathery seaweeds, usually of a dull brownish green color; rockweed. Note: Formerly most marine alg were called fuci.
"zostera": A genus of plants of the Naiadaceæ, or Pondweed family. Zostera marina is commonly known as sea wrack, and eelgrass.
Difficulty: 16.18
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 16739
He
began
to
cough,
and
attempted
to
clear
his
throat,
but
the
cough
became
a
fit
that
wracked
his
body
in
painful
spasms.
1248
pornographer
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.18
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26088
Indeed,
Salman’s
mafia
clan
found
itself
in
the
unique
position
of
bribing
the
police—the
same
cops
who’d
just
been
paid
off
by
pimps
and
pushers—to
look
away
whenever
they
had
to
run
a
recalcitrant
heroin
dealer
into
a
brick
wall,
or
take
a
mash
hammer
to
a
pornographer’s
hands.
1249
salient
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Moving by leaps or springs; leaping; bounding; jumping. "Frogs and salient animals." Sir T. Browne. 2. Shooting out up; springing; projecting. He had in himself a salient, living spring of generous and manly action. Burke. 3. Hence, figuratively, forcing itself on the attention; prominent; conspicuous; noticeable. He [Grenville] had neither salient traits, nor general comprehensiveness of mind. Bancroft. 4. (Math. & Fort.) Projectiong outwardly; as, a salient angle; -- opposed to reëntering. See Illust. of Bastion. 5. (Her.) Represented in a leaping position; as, a lion salient. Salient angle. See Salient, a., 4. -- Salient polygon (Geom.), a polygon all of whose angles are salient. -- Salient polyhedron (Geom.), a polyhedron all of whose solid angles are salient.
A salient angle or part; a projection.
"polygon": A plane figure having many angles, and consequently many sides; esp., one whose perimeter consists of more than four sides; any figure having many angles. Polygon of forces (Mech.), a polygonal figure, the sides of which, taken successively, represent, in length and direction, several forces acting simultaneously upon one point, so that the side necessary to complete the figure represents the resultant of those forces. Cf. Parallelogram of forces, under Parallelogram.
"bounding": Moving with a bound or bounds. The bounding pulse, the languid limb. Montgomery.
"comprehensiveness": The quality of being comprehensive; extensiveness of scope. Compare the beauty and comprehensiveness of legends on ancient coins. Addison.
"polyhedron": 1. (Geom.) A body or solid contained by many sides or planes. 2. (Opt.) A polyscope, or multiplying glass.
Difficulty: 16.17
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 5151
It’s
a
fuckin’
salient
point,
don’t
you
think?’
1250
mortifying
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Tending to mortify; affected by, or having symptoms of, mortification; as, a mortifying wound; mortifying flesh. 2. Subduing the appetites, desires, etc.; as, mortifying penances. 3. Tending to humble or abase; humiliating; as, a mortifying repulse.
"repulse": 1. To repel; to beat or drive back; as, to repulse an assault; to repulse the enemy. Complete to have discovered and repulsed Whatever wiles of foe or seeming friend. Milton. 2. To repel by discourtesy, coldness, or denial; to reject; to send away; as, to repulse a suitor or a proffer.
1. The act of repelling or driving back; also, the state of being repelled or driven back. By fate repelled, and with repulses tired. Denham. He received in the repulse of Tarquin seven hurts in the body. Shak. 2. Figuratively: Refusal; denial; rejection; failure.
"abase": 1. To lower or depress; to throw or cast down; as, to abase the eye. [Archaic] Bacon. Saying so, he abased his lance. Shelton. 2. To cast down or reduce low or lower, as in rank, office, condition in life, or estimation of worthiness; to depress; to humble; to degrade. Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased. Luke xiv. ll. Syn. -- To Abase, Debase, Degrade. These words agree in the idea of bringing down from a higher to a lower state. Abase has reference to a bringing down in condition or feelings; as to abase one's self before God. Debase has reference to the bringing down of a thing in purity, or making it base. It is, therefore, always used in a bad sense, as, to debase the coin of the kingdom, to debase the mind by vicious indulgence, to debase one's style by coarse or vulgar expressions. Degrade has reference to a bringing down from some higher grade or from some standard. Thus, a priest is degraded from the clerical office. When used in a moral sense, it denotes a bringing down in character and just estimation; as, degraded by intemperance, a degrading employment, etc. "Art is degraded when it is regarded only as a trade."
"mortify": 1. To destroy the organic texture and vital functions of; to produce gangrene in. 2. To destroy the active powers or essential qualities of; to change by chemical action. [Obs.] Chaucer. Quicksilver is mortified with turpentine. Bacon. He mortified pearls in vinegar. Hakewill. 3. To deaden by religious or other discipline, as the carnal affections, bodily appetites, or worldly desires; to bring into subjection; to abase; to humble. With fasting mortified, worn out with tears. Harte. Mortify thy learned lust. Prior. Mortify, rherefore, your members which are upon the earth. Col. iii. 5. 4. To affect with vexation, chagrin, or humiliation; to humble; to depress. The news of the fatal battle of Worcester, which exceedingly mortified our expectations. Evelyn. How often is the ambitious man mortified with the very praises he receives, if they do not rise so high as he thinks they ought! Addison.
1. To lose vitality and organic structure, as flesh of a living body; to gangrene. 2. To practice penance from religious motives; to deaden desires by religious discipline. This makes him ... give alms of all that he hath, watch, fast, and mortify. Law. 3. To be subdued; to decay, as appetites, desires, etc.
"mortification": 1. The act of mortifying, or the condition of being mortified; especially: (a) (Med.) The death of one part of an animal body, while the rest continues to live; loss of vitality in some part of a living animal; gangrene. Dunglison. (b) (Alchem. & Old Chem.) Destruction of active qualities; neutralization. [Obs.] Bacon. (c) Subjection of the passions and appetites, by penance, absistence, or painful severities inflicted on the body. The mortification of our lusts has something in it that is troublesome, yet nothing that is unreasonable. Tillotson. (d) Hence: Deprivation or depression of self-approval; abatement or pride; humiliation; chagrin; vexation. We had the mortification to lose sight of Munich, Augsburg, and Ratisbon. Addison. 2. That which mortifies; the cause of humiliation, chagrin, or vexation. It is one of the vexatious mortifications of a studious man to have his thoughts discovered by a tedious visit. L'Estrange. 3. (Scots Law) A gift to some charitable or religious institution; -- nearly synonymous with mortmain. Syn. -- Chagrin; vexation; shame. See Chagrin.
Difficulty: 16.17
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6427
It
was
mortifying,
a
torment,
and
I
entreated
him
not
to
do
it.
1251
matchstick
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.17
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 5518
He
pressed
a
ball,
known
as
a
goli,
of
hashish
onto
the
end
of
a
matchstick,
and
burned
it
with
another
match.
1252
seventeenth
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Next in order after the sixteenth; coming after sixteen others. In . . . the seventeenth day of the month . . . were all the fountains of the great deep broken up. Gen. vii. 11. 2. Constituting or being one of seventeen equal parts into which anything is divided.
1. The next in order after the sixteenth; one coming after sixteen others. 2. The quotient of a unit divided by seventeen; one of seventeen equal parts or divisions of one whole. 3. (Mus.) An interval of two octaves and a third.
"quotient": 1. (Arith.) The number resulting from the division of one number by another, and showing how often a less number is contained in a greater; thus, the quotient of twelve divided by four is three. 2. (Higher Alg.) The result of any process inverse to multiplication. See the Note under Multiplication.
Difficulty: 16.17
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15494
After
numerous
burials
and
disinterments,
the
much-exhumed
body
of
St.
Francis
was
finally
installed
in
the
Basilica
of
Bom
Jesus,
in
Goa,
in
the
early
seventeenth
century.
1253
contractual
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.17
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18954
Lisa
wanted
that
contractual
agreement.
1254
impaling
prev
next
Definition (impale)
Definition (impale)
1. To pierce with a pale; to put to death by fixing on a sharp stake. See Empale. Then with what life remains, impaled, and left To writhe at leisure round the bloody stake. Addison. 2. To inclose, as with pales or stakes; to surround. Impale him with your weapons round about. Shak. Impenetrable, impaled with circling fire. Milton. 3. (Her.) To join, as two coats of arms on one shield, palewise; hence, to join in honorable mention. Ordered the admission of St. Patrick to the same to be matched and impaled with the blessed Virgin in the honor thereof. Fuller.
"empale": To make pale. [Obs.] No bloodless malady empales their face. G. Fletcher.
1. To fence or fortify with stakes; to surround with a line of stakes for defense; to impale. All that dwell near enemies empale villages, to save themselves from surprise. Sir W. Raleigh. 2. To inclose; to surround. See Impale. 3. To put to death by thrusting a sharpened stake through the body. 4. (Her.) Same as Impale.
"writhe": 1. To twist; to turn; now, usually, to twist or turn so as to distort; to wring. "With writhing [turning] of a pin." Chaucer. Then Satan first knew pain, And writhed him to and fro. Milton. Her mouth she writhed, her forehead taught to frown. Dryden. His battle-writhen arms, and mighty hands. Tennyson. 2. To wrest; to distort; to pervert. The reason which he yieldeth showeth the least part of his meaning to be that whereunto his words are writhed. Hooker. 3. To extort; to wring; to wrest. [R.] The nobility hesitated not to follow the example of their sovereign in writhing money from them by every species of oppression. Sir W. Scott.
To twist or contort the body; to be distorted; as, to writhe with agony. Also used figuratively. After every attempt, he felt that he had failed, and writhed with shame and vexation. Macaulay.
"inclose": 1. To surround; to shut in; to confine on all sides; to include; to shut up; to encompass; as, to inclose a fort or an army with troops; to inclose a town with walls. How many evils have inclosed me round! Milton. 2. To put within a case, envelope, or the like; to fold (a thing) within another or into the same parcel; as, to inclose a letter or a bank note. The inclosed copies of the treaty. Sir W. Temple. 3. To separate from common grounds by a fence; as, to inclose lands. Blackstone. 4. To put into harness; to harness. [Obs.] They went to coach and their horse inclose. Chapman.
"palewise": In the manner of a pale or pales; by perpendicular lines or divisions; as, to divide an escutcheon palewise.
Difficulty: 16.17
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21162
And
when
he
captured
one—and
he
did
capture
them,
many
of
them,
because
he
was
very
good
at
it
after
that—when
he
did
capture
them,
he
tortured
them
to
death
by
impaling
them
on
a
sharpened
steel
spike,
made
from
the
wooden
handle
and
the
blade
of
the
shovel
he
had
used
to
bury
his
family.
1255
udder
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. (Anat.) The glandular organ in which milk is secreted and stored; -- popularly called the bag in cows and other quadrupeds. See Mamma. A lioness, with udders all drawn dry. Shak. 2. One of the breasts of a woman. [R.] Yon Juno of majestic size, With cowlike udders, and with oxlike eyes. Pope.
"glandular": Containing or supporting glands; consisting of glands; pertaining to glands.
"popularly": In a popular manner; so as to be generally favored or accepted by the people; commonly; currently; as, the story was popularity reported. The victor knight, Bareheaded, popularly low had bowed. Dryden.
"cowlike": Resembling a cow. With cowlike udders and with oxlike eyes. Pope.
"oxlike": Characteristic of, or like, an ox.
Difficulty: 16.14
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3963
She
took
a
glass,
and
squatted
by
the
udder
of
the
immense,
black,
bow-horned
beast
to
squeeze
milk.
1256
ineffectually
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Without effect; in vain. Hereford . . . had been besieged for abouineffectually by the Scots. Ludlow.
Difficulty: 16.14
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9339
Johnny
stood
in
the
doorway,
ineffectually
scolding
several
curious
neighbours
and
their
children
away
from
the
door.
1257
monotone
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. (Mus.) A single unvaried tone or sound. 2. (Rhet.) The utterance of successive syllables, words, or sentences, on one unvaried key or line of pitch.
"utterance": 1. The act of uttering. Specifically: -- (a) Sale by offering to the public. [Obs.] Bacon. (b) Putting in circulation; as, the utterance of false coin, or of forged notes. (c) Vocal expression; articulation; speech. At length gave utterance to these words. Milton. 2. Power or style of speaking; as, a good utterance. They . . . began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts ii. 4. O, how unlike To that large utterance of the early gods! Keats.
The last extremity; the end; death; outrance. [Obs.] Annibal forced those captives whom he had taken of our men to skirmish one against another to the utterance. Holland.
Difficulty: 16.14
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15662
‘I
don’t
want
you
to
go,’
she
repeated
in
that
same
monotone.
1258
scapula
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. (Anat.) The principal bone of the shoulder girdle in mammals; the shoulder blade. 2. (Zoöl.) One of the plates from which the arms of a crinoid arise.
"crinoid": Crinoidal. -- n. One of the Crinoidea.
Difficulty: 16.14
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27822
It
was
high,
just
under
the
scapula.
1259
attrition
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The act of rubbing together; friction; the act of wearing by friction, or by rubbing substances together; abrasion. Effected by attrition of the inward stomach. Arbuthnot. 2. The state of being worn. Johnson. 3. (Theol.) Grief for sin arising only from fear of punishment or feelings of shame. See Contrition. Wallis.
Difficulty: 16.14
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7205
Shopkeepers
and
small
businessmen
everywhere
resented
that
attrition
of
their
sales
and
the
success
of
the
thriving
slum
shops.
1260
trawling
prev
next
Definition (trawl)
Definition (trawl)
To take fish, or other marine animals, with a trawl.
1. A fishing line, often extending a mile or more, having many short lines bearing hooks attached to it. It is used for catching cod, halibut, etc.; a boulter. [U. S. & Canada] 2. A large bag net attached to a beam with iron frames at its ends, and dragged at the bottom of the sea, -- used in fishing, and in gathering forms of marine life from the sea bottom.
"boulter": A long, stout fishing line to which many hooks are attached.
Difficulty: 16.14
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17053
My
mind
was
trawling
through
the
possible
lateral
benefits
in
the
arrangement.
1261
nightdress
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A nightgown.
Difficulty: 16.13
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12011
Her
thin
nightdress
hung
askew,
revealing
the
hand-span
of
her
ribs.
1262
brandishing
prev
next
Definition (brandish)
Definition (brandish)
1. To move or wave, as a weapon; to raise and move in various directions; to shake or flourish. The quivering lance which he brandished bright. Drake. 2. To play with; to flourish; as, to brandish syllogisms.
A flourish, as with a weapon, whip, etc. "Brandishes of the fan." Tailer.
Difficulty: 16.13
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 16564
Lisa
snarled
at
him,
brandishing
the
knife.
1263
unbeguiling
prev
next
Definition (beguiling)
Definition (beguiling)
Alluring by guile; deluding; misleading; diverting. -- Be*guil"ing*ly, adv.
Difficulty: 16.13
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18663
EYES
CURVED
like
the
sword
of
Perseus,
like
the
wings
of
hawks
in
flight,
like
the
rolled
lips
of
seashells,
like
eucalyptus
leaves
in
summer—Indian
eyes,
dancers’
eyes,
the
most
beautiful
eyes
in
the
world
stared
with
honest,
unbeguiling
concentration
into
mirrors
held
for
them
by
their
servants.
1264
plexus
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. (Anat.) A network of vessels, nerves, or fibers. 2. (Math.) The system of equations required for the complete expression of the relations which exist between a set of quantities. Brande & C.
Difficulty: 16.13
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 19830
Nazeer
drove
a
fist
into
my
solar
plexus,
just
under
the
heart.
1265
equine
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a horse. The shoulders, body, things, and mane are equine; the head completely bovine. Sir J. Barrow.
Difficulty: 16.13
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20292
The
horses
watched
us
with
that
peculiarly
equine
mix
of
white-eyed
timorousness
and
snorting
condescension.
1266
chastised
prev
next
Definition (chastise)
Definition (chastise)
1. To inflict pain upon, by means of stripes, or in any other manner, for the purpose of punishment or reformation; to punish, as with stripes. How fine my master is! I am afraid He will chastise me. Shak. I am glad to see the vanity or envy of the canting chemists thus discovered and chastised. Boyle. 2. To reduce to order or obedience; to correct or purify; to free from faults or excesses. The gay, social sense, by decency chastised. Thomson. Syn. -- See Chasten.
"chasten": 1. To correct by punishment; to inflict pain upon the purpose of reclaiming; to discipline; as, to chasten a son with a rod. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth. Heb. xii. 6. 2. To purify from errors or faults; to refine. They [classics] chasten and enlarge the mind, and excite to noble actions. Layard. Syn. -- To chastise; punish; correct; discipline; castigate; afflict; subdue; purify. To Chasten, Punish, Chastise. To chasten is to subject to affliction or trouble, in order to produce a general change for the better in life or character. To punish is to inflict penalty for violation of law, disobedience to authority, or intentional wrongdoing. To chastise is to punish a particular offense, as with stripes, especially with the hope that suffering or disgrace may prevent a repetition of faults.
"canting": Speaking in a whining tone of voice; using technical or religious terms affectedly; affectedly pious; as, a canting rogue; a canting tone. - Cant"ing*ly, adv. -- Cant"ing*ness, n. Canting arms, Canting heraldry (Her.), bearings in the nature of a rebus alluding to the name of the bearer. Thus, the Castletons bear three castles, and Pope Adrian IV. (Nicholas Breakspeare) bore a broken spear.
The use of cant; hypocrisy.
Difficulty: 16.12
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11644
Aunt
Penny
deprived
Karla,
punished
her
arbitrarily,
chastised
and
belittled
her
constantly,
and
did
everything
but
throw
the
girl
into
the
street.
1267
viscous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Adhesive or sticky, and having a ropy or glutinous consistency; viscid; glutinous; clammy; tenacious; as, a viscous juice. -- Vis"cous*ness, n. Note: There is no well-defined distinction in meaning between viscous and viscid.
"vis": 1. Force; power. 2. (Law) (a) Physical force. (b) Moral power. Principle of vis viva (Mech.), the principle that the difference between the aggregate work of the accelerating forces of a system and that of the retarding forces is equal to one half the vis viva accumulated or lost in the system while the work is being done. -- Vis impressa Etym: [L.] (Mech.), force exerted, as in moving a body, or changing the direction of its motion; impressed force. -- Vis inertiæ. Etym: [L.] (a) The resistance of matter, as when a body at rest is set in motion, or a body in motion is brought to rest, or has its motion changed, either in direction or in velocity. (b) Inertness; inactivity. Vis intertiæ and inertia are not strictly synonymous. The former implies the resistance itself which is given, while the latter implies merely the property by which it is given. -- Vis mortua Etym: [L.] (Mech.), dead force; force doing no active work, but only producing pressure. -- Vis vitæ, or Vis vitalis Etym: [L.] (Physiol.), vital force. -- Vis viva Etym: [L.] (Mech.), living force; the force of a body moving against resistance, or doing work, in distinction from vis mortua, or dead force; the kinetic energy of a moving body; the capacity of a moving body to do work by reason of its being in motion. See Kinetic energy, in the Note under Energy. The term vis viva is not usually understood to include that part of the kinetic energy of the body which is due to the vibrations of its molecules.
"ropy": capable of being drawn into a thread, as a glutinous substance; stringy; viscous; tenacious; glutinous; as ropy sirup; ropy lees.
"viscid": Sticking or adhering, and having a ropy or glutinous consistency; viscous; glutinous; sticky; tenacious; clammy; as, turpentine, tar, gums, etc., are more or less viscid.
"glutinous": 1. Of the nature of glue; resembling glue; viscous; viscid; adhesive; gluey. 2. (Bot.) Havig a moist and adhesive or sticky surface, as a leaf or gland.
Difficulty: 16.12
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2350
A
foul
smell
rose
up
from
that
viscous
ooze,
and
I
kept
my
feet
hard
against
the
walls,
sliding
them
along
in
short
steps.
1268
capitulated
prev
next
Definition (capitulate)
Definition (capitulate)
1. To settle or draw up the heads or terms of an agreement, as in chapters or articles; to agree. [Obs.] There capitulates with the king . . . to take to wife his daughter Mary. Heylin. There is no reason why the reducing of any agreement to certain heads or capitula should not be called to capitulate. Trench. 2. To surrender on terms agreed upon (usually, drawn up under several heads); as, an army or a garrison capitulates. The Irish, after holding out a week, capitulated. Macaulay.
To surrender or transfer, as an army or a fortress, on certain conditions. [R.]
"capitula": See Capitulum.
Difficulty: 16.12
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9895
I’d
capitulated
too
readily,
and
I
knew
it.
1269
filament
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A thread or threadlike object or appendage; a fiber; esp. (Bot.), the threadlike part of the stamen supporting the anther.
"stamen": 1. A thread; especially, a warp thread. 2. (pl. Stamens, rarely Stamina.) (Bot.) The male organ of flowers for secreting and furnishing the pollen or fecundating dust. It consists of the anther and filament.
"anther": That part of the stamen containing the pollen, or fertilizing dust, which, when mature, is emitted for the impregnation of the ovary. -- An"ther*al, a.
Difficulty: 16.11
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2753
It
was
an
affectionate
joke,
and
one
that
we
all
understood,
but
there
was
a
brittle
filament
of
scorn
in
it,
as
well.
1270
guffaws
prev
next
Definition (guffaw)
Definition (guffaw)
A loud burst of laughter, a horse laugh. "A hearty low guffaw." Carlyle.
Difficulty: 16.11
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3298
When
at
last
he
rose
to
leave,
and
I
resumed
my
seat,
he
muttered
such
a
vile
curse
that
the
other
passengers
sputtered
into
guffaws
of
laughter,
and
a
couple
of
them
commiserated
with
me
by
patting
my
shoulder
and
back.
1271
endearment
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The act of endearing or the state of being endeared; also, that which manifests, excites, or increases, affection. "The great endearments of prudent and temperate speech." Jer. Taylor. Her first endearments twining round the soul. Thomson.
"twining": Winding around something; twisting; embracing; climbing by winding about a support; as, the hop is a twinning plant.
The act of one who, or that which, twines; (Bot.) the act of climbing spirally.
Difficulty: 16.11
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 5479
It
was
a
term
of
respectful
endearment.
1272
lanyard
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. (Naut.) A short piece of rope or line for fastening something in ships; as, the lanyards of the gun ports, of the buoy, and the like; esp., pieces passing through the dead-eyes, and used to extend shrouds, stays, etc. 2. (Mil.) A strong cord, about twelve feet long, with an iron hook at one end a handle at the other, used in firing cannon with a friction tube.
"fastening": Anything that binds and makes fast, as a lock, catch, bolt, bar, buckle, etc.
Difficulty: 16.11
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17014
She
wore
a
stopwatch
around
her
neck
on
a
lanyard,
and
carried
a
clipboard.
1273
stuntmen
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.11
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26812
His
beloved
hat,
surrendered
with
no
little
reluctance
when
he’d
found
himself
more
frequently
in
the
boardrooms
of
major
companies
than
in
the
stuntmen’s
corral,
was
hanging
from
a
hook
in
my
apartment.
1274
frankincense
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A fragrant, aromatic resin, or gum resin, burned as an incense in religious rites or for medicinal fumigation. The best kinds now come from East Indian trees, of the genus Boswellia; a commoner sort, from the Norway spruce (Abies excelsa) and other coniferous trees. The frankincense of the ancient Jews is still unidentified.
"abies": A genus of coniferous trees, properly called Fir, as the balsam fir and the silver fir. The spruces are sometimes also referred to this genus.
"fumigation": 1. The act of fumigating, or applying smoke or vapor, as for disinfection. 2. Vapor raised in the process of fumigating.
"coniferous": (a) Bearing cones, as the pine and cypress. (b) Pertaining to the order Coniferae, of which the pine tree is the type.
Difficulty: 16.11
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 28557
I
moved
in
mists
of
cooking
scent
and
shower
soap,
of
animal
stalls
and
kerosene
lamps,
of
frankincense
and
sandalwood
streaming
upward
from
a
thousand
tiny
temples
in
a
thousand
tiny
homes.
1275
endearments
prev
next
Definition (endearment)
Definition (endearment)
The act of endearing or the state of being endeared; also, that which manifests, excites, or increases, affection. "The great endearments of prudent and temperate speech." Jer. Taylor. Her first endearments twining round the soul. Thomson.
"twining": Winding around something; twisting; embracing; climbing by winding about a support; as, the hop is a twinning plant.
The act of one who, or that which, twines; (Bot.) the act of climbing spirally.
Difficulty: 16.11
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 28621
She
looked
sadder
and
older
within
the
soft
endearments
of
her
smile,
and
grieving
had
put
a
swipe
of
grey
in
the
black
pelt
of
her
hair.
1276
earshot
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Reach of the ear; distance at which words may be heard. Dryden.
Difficulty: 16.10
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 22116
The
fighters
felt
certain
that
there
were
no
enemy
forces
within
earshot,
but
still
we
dampened
its
noise
with
a
little
igloo
of
burlap
sacks
that
covered
the
engine,
leaving
gaps
for
the
air
inlet
and
exhaust
gas
outlet.
1277
bivouac
prev
next
Definition
Definition
(a) The watch of a whole army by night, when in danger of surprise or attack. (b) An encampment for the night without tents or covering.
(a) To watch at night or be on guard, as a whole army. (b) To encamp for the night without tents or covering.
"encamp": To form and occupy a camp; to prepare and settle in temporary habitations, as tents or huts; to halt on a march, pitch tents, or form huts, and remain for the night or for a longer time, as an army or a company traveling. The host of the Philistines encamped in the valley of Rephaim. 1 Chron. xi. 15.
To form into a camp; to place in a temporary habitation, or quarters. Bid him encamp his soldiers. Shak.
Difficulty: 16.10
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6297
From
a
distance,
they
looked
like
the
pup
tents
of
an
army
bivouac
wreathed
in
the
smoke
of
cooking
fires.
1278
junketing
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A feast or entertainment; a revel. All those snug junketings and public gormandizings for which the ancient magistrates were equally famous with their modern successors. W. Irving. The apostle would have no reveling or junketing upon the altar. South.
Difficulty: 16.10
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 20467
The
civilised
nations
responded
with
enthusiasm,
and
for
years
Karachi
was
host
to
junketing
parties
of
arms-dealers
from
America,
Britain,
China,
Sweden,
Italy,
and
other
countries.
1279
impassioned
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Actuated or characterized by passion or zeal; showing warmth of feeling; ardent; animated; excited; as, an impassioned orator or discourse.
Difficulty: 16.10
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27315
First
was
the
bear-handlers’
impassioned
appeal
to
the
problem-solving
genius
of
Ganesha,
the
Lord
of
Obstacles.
1280
furtive
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Stolen; obtained or characterized by stealth; sly; secret; stealthy; as, a furtive look. Prior. A hasty and furtive ceremony. Hallam.
Difficulty: 16.09
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 25430
It
was
also
true,
and
more
to
the
point,
that
Sanjay
was
enjoying
himself,
standing
in
our
conspicuous
group
on
a
warm
afternoon
and
sparking
furtive
but
fervent
looks
from
most
of
the
girls
passing
us
on
the
busy
street.
1281
bewilderingly
prev
next
Definition (bewildering)
Definition (bewildering)
Causing bewilderment or great perplexity; as, bewildering difficulties. -- Be*wil"der*ing*ly, adv.
"bewilderment": 1. The state of being bewildered. 2. A bewildering tangle or confusion. He . . . soon lost all traces of it amid bewilderment of tree trunks and underbrush. Hawthorne.
"perplexity": The quality or state of being perplexed or puzzled; complication; intricacy; entanglement; distraction of mind through doubt or difficulty; embarrassment; bewilderment; doubt. By their own perplexities involved, They ravel more. Milton.
Difficulty: 16.09
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27609
Nazeer
paused
only
long
enough
to
give
me
a
bewilderingly
cryptic
look,
part
censure
and
part
pride,
part
anger
and
part
red-eyed
affection,
before
he
shoved
the
young
Goan
backwards
through
the
circle
of
men.
1282
rasping
prev
next
Definition (rasp)
Definition (rasp)
1. To rub or file with a rasp; to rub or grate with a rough file; as, to rasp wood to make it smooth; to rasp bones to powder. 2. Hence, figuratively: To grate harshly upon; to offend by coarse or rough treatment or language; as, some sounds rasp the ear; his insults rasped my temper.
1. A coarse file, on which the cutting prominences are distinct points raised by the oblique stroke of a sharp punch, instead of lines raised by a chisel, as on the true file. 2. The raspberry. [Obs.] "Set sorrel amongst rasps, and the rasps will be smaller." Bacon. Rasp palm (Bot.), a Brazilian palm tree (Iriartea exorhiza) which has strong aërial roots like a screw pine. The roots have a hard, rough surface, and are used by the natives for graters and rasps, whence the common name.
"exorhiza": A plant Whose radicle is not inclosed or sheathed by the cotyledons or plumule. Gray.
"oblique": 1. Not erect or perpendicular; neither parallel to, nor at right angles from, the base; slanting; inclined. It has a direction oblique to that of the former motion. Cheyne. 2. Not straightforward; indirect; obscure; hence, disingenuous; underhand; perverse; sinister. The love we bear our friends... Hath in it certain oblique ends. Drayton. This mode of oblique research, when a more direct one is denied, we find to be the only one in our power. De Quincey. Then would be closed the restless, oblique eye. That looks for evil, like a treacherous spy. Wordworth. 3. Not direct in descent; not following the line of father and son; collateral. His natural affection in a direct line was strong, in an oblique but weak. Baker. Oblique angle, Oblique ascension, etc. See under Angle,Ascension, etc. -- Oblique arch (Arch.), an arch whose jambs are not at right angles with the face, and whose intrados is in consequence askew. -- Oblique bridge, a skew bridge. See under Bridge, n. -- Oblique case (Gram.), any case except the nominative. See Case, n. -- Oblique circle (Projection), a circle whose plane is oblique to the axis of the primitive plane. -- Oblique fire (Mil.), a fire the direction of which is not perpendicular to the line fired at. -- Oblique flank (Fort.), that part of the curtain whence the fire of the opposite bastion may be discovered. Wilhelm. -- Oblique leaf. (Bot.) (a) A leaf twisted or inclined from the normal position. (b) A leaf having one half different from the other. -- Oblique line (Geom.), a line that, meeting or tending to meet another, makes oblique angles with it. -- Oblique motion (Mus.), a kind of motion or progression in which one part ascends or descends, while the other prolongs or repeats the same tone, as in the accompanying example. -- Oblique muscle (Anat.), a muscle acting in a direction oblique to the mesial plane of the body, or to the associated muscles; -- applied especially to two muscles of the eyeball. -- Oblique narration. See Oblique speech. -- Oblique planes (Dialing), planes which decline from the zenith, or incline toward the horizon. -- Oblique sailing (Naut.), the movement of a ship when she sails upon some rhumb between the four cardinal points, making an oblique angle with the meridian. -- Oblique speech (Rhet.), speech which is quoted indirectly, or in a different person from that employed by the original speaker. -- Oblique sphere (Astron. & Geog.), the celestial or terrestrial sphere when its axis is oblique to the horizon of the place; or as it appears to an observer at any point on the earth except the poles and the equator. -- Oblique step (Mil.), a step in marching, by which the soldier, while advancing, gradually takes ground to the right or left at an angle of about 25º. It is not now practiced. Wilhelm. -- Oblique system of coördinates (Anal. Geom.), a system in which the coördinate axes are oblique to each other.
An oblique line.
1. To deviate from a perpendicular line; to move in an oblique direction. Projecting his person towards it in a line which obliqued from the bottom of his spine. Sir. W. Scott. 2. (Mil.) To march in a direction oblique to the line of the column or platoon; -- formerly accomplished by oblique steps, now by direct steps, the men half-facing either to the right or left.
Difficulty: 16.09
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2351
Something
squat
and
heavy
slithered
past
me,
rasping
its
thick
body
against
my
boot.
1283
deflections
prev
next
Definition (deflection)
Definition (deflection)
1. The act of turning aside, or state of being turned aside; a turning from a right line or proper course; a bending, esp. downward; deviation. The other leads to the same point, through certain deflections. Lowth. 2. (Gunnery) The deviation of a shot or ball from its true course. 3. (Opt.) A deviation of the rays of light toward the surface of an opaque body; inflection; diffraction. 4. (Engin.) The bending which a beam or girder undergoes from its own weight or by reason of a load.
"girder": One who girds; a satirist.
1. One who, or that which, girds. 2. (Arch. & Engin.) A main beam; a stright, horizontal beam to span an opening or carry weight, such as ends of floor beams, etc.; hence, a framed or built-up member discharging the same office, technically called a compound girder. See Illusts. of Frame, and Doubleframed floor, under Double. Bowstring girder, Box girder, etc. See under Bowstring, Box, etc. -- Girder bridge. See under Bridge. -- Lattice girder, a girder consisting of longitudinal bars united by diagonal crossing bars. -- Half-lattice girder, a girder consisting of horizontal upper and lower bars connected by a series of diagonal bars sloping alternately in opposite directions so as to divide the space between the bars into a series of triangles. Knight. -- Sandwich girder, a girder consisting of two parallel wooden beams, between which is an iron plate, the whole clamped together by iron bolts.
"inflection": 1. The act of inflecting, or the state of being inflected. 2. A bend; a fold; a curve; a turn; a twist. 3. A slide, modulation, or accent of the voice; as, the rising and the falling inflection. 4. (Gram.) The variation or change which words undergo to mark case, gender, number, comparison, tense, person, mood, voice, etc. 5. (Mus.) (a) Any change or modification in the pitch or tone of the voice. (b) A departure from the monotone, or reciting note, in chanting. 6. (Opt.) Same as Diffraction. Point of inflection (Geom.), the point on opposite sides of which a curve bends in contrary ways.
"diffraction": The deflection and decomposition of light in passing by the edges of opaque bodies or through narrow slits, causing the appearance of parallel bands or fringes of prismatic colors, as by the action of a grating of fine lines or bars. Remarked by Grimaldi (1665), and referred by him to a property of light which he called diffraction. Whewell. Diffraction grating. (Optics) See under Grating. -- Diffraction spectrum. (Optics) See under Spectrum.
Difficulty: 16.09
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 10620
His
skill
at
performing
the
trick
was
such
that
even
when
I
came
to
know
him
well,
even
when
I
came
to
expect
those
sudden
deviations
and
deflections,
he
still
managed
to
catch
me
off
guard.
1284
taffeta
prev
next
Definition
Definition
A fine, smooth stuff of silk, having usually the wavy luster called watering. The term has also been applied to different kinds of silk goods, from the 16th century to modern times. Lined with taffeta and with sendal. Chaucer.
"luster": One who lusts.
A period of five years; a lustrum. Both of us have closed the tenth luster. Bolingbroke.
1. Brilliancy; splendor; brightness; glitter. The right mark and very true luster of the diamond. Sir T. More. The scorching sun was mounted high, In all its luster, to the noonday sky. Addison. Note: There is a tendency to limit the use of luster, in this sense, to the brightness of things which do not shine with their own light, or at least do not blaze or glow with heat. One speaks of the luster of a diamond, or of silk, or even of the stars, but not often now of the luster of the sun, a coal of fire, or the like. 2. Renown; splendor; distinction; glory. His ancestors continued about four hundred years, rather without obscurity than with any great luster. Sir H. Wotton. 3. A candlestick, chandelier, girandole, or the like, generally of an ornamental character. Pope. 4. (Min.) The appearance of the surface of a mineral as affected by, or dependent upon, peculiarities of its reflecting qualities. Note: The principal kinds of luster recognized are: metallic, adamantine, vitreous, resinous, greasy, pearly, and silky. With respect to intensity, luster is characterized as splendent, shining, glistening, glimmering, and dull. 5. A substance which imparts luster to a surface, as plumbago and some of the glazes. 6. A fabric of wool and cotton with a lustrous surface, -- used for women's dresses. Luster ware, earthenware decorated by applying to the glazing metallic oxides, which acquire brilliancy in the process of baking.
To make lustrous. [R. & Poetic] Flooded and lustered with her loosened gold. Lowell.
"sendal": A light thin stuff of silk. [Written also cendal, and sendal.] Chaucer. Wore she not a veil of twisted sendal embroidered with silver Sir W. Scott.
Difficulty: 16.09
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11589
There
was
a
faint
scratching
sound,
a
whisper
and
scrape
as
of
taffeta
rustling,
or
cellophane
being
squeezed
into
a
ball.
1285
amoral
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.09
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17418
Abdul
Ghani,
propelled
by
the
purest
amoral
spirit
of
market
forces,
serviced
the
needs
of
generals,
mercenaries,
misappropriators
of
public
funds,
and
murderous
interrogators
without
a
hint
of
censure
or
dismay.
1286
underhand
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Secret; clandestine; hence, mean; unfair; fraudulent. Addison. 2. (Baseball, Cricket, etc.) Done, as pitching, with the hand lower than the shoulder, or, as bowling, with the hand lower than elbow.
1. By secret means; in a clandestine manner; hence, by fraud; unfairly. Such mean revenge, committed underhand. Dryden. Baillie Macwheeble provided Janet, underhand, with meal for their maintenance. Sir W. Scott. 2. (Baseball, Cricket, etc.) In an underhand manner; -- said of pitching or bowling.
"baillie": 1. Bailiff. [Obs.] 2. Same as Bailie. [Scot.]
Difficulty: 16.09
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17918
A
man
uses
an
underhand
grip
when
he
expects
his
knife,
like
a
gun,
to
do
the
fighting
for
him.
1287
deflection
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. The act of turning aside, or state of being turned aside; a turning from a right line or proper course; a bending, esp. downward; deviation. The other leads to the same point, through certain deflections. Lowth. 2. (Gunnery) The deviation of a shot or ball from its true course. 3. (Opt.) A deviation of the rays of light toward the surface of an opaque body; inflection; diffraction. 4. (Engin.) The bending which a beam or girder undergoes from its own weight or by reason of a load.
"girder": One who girds; a satirist.
1. One who, or that which, girds. 2. (Arch. & Engin.) A main beam; a stright, horizontal beam to span an opening or carry weight, such as ends of floor beams, etc.; hence, a framed or built-up member discharging the same office, technically called a compound girder. See Illusts. of Frame, and Doubleframed floor, under Double. Bowstring girder, Box girder, etc. See under Bowstring, Box, etc. -- Girder bridge. See under Bridge. -- Lattice girder, a girder consisting of longitudinal bars united by diagonal crossing bars. -- Half-lattice girder, a girder consisting of horizontal upper and lower bars connected by a series of diagonal bars sloping alternately in opposite directions so as to divide the space between the bars into a series of triangles. Knight. -- Sandwich girder, a girder consisting of two parallel wooden beams, between which is an iron plate, the whole clamped together by iron bolts.
"inflection": 1. The act of inflecting, or the state of being inflected. 2. A bend; a fold; a curve; a turn; a twist. 3. A slide, modulation, or accent of the voice; as, the rising and the falling inflection. 4. (Gram.) The variation or change which words undergo to mark case, gender, number, comparison, tense, person, mood, voice, etc. 5. (Mus.) (a) Any change or modification in the pitch or tone of the voice. (b) A departure from the monotone, or reciting note, in chanting. 6. (Opt.) Same as Diffraction. Point of inflection (Geom.), the point on opposite sides of which a curve bends in contrary ways.
"diffraction": The deflection and decomposition of light in passing by the edges of opaque bodies or through narrow slits, causing the appearance of parallel bands or fringes of prismatic colors, as by the action of a grating of fine lines or bars. Remarked by Grimaldi (1665), and referred by him to a property of light which he called diffraction. Whewell. Diffraction grating. (Optics) See under Grating. -- Diffraction spectrum. (Optics) See under Spectrum.
Difficulty: 16.09
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17946
I
struck
bone
more
than
once,
feeling
the
jarring
deflection
all
the
way
up
my
arm.
1288
pandered
prev
next
Definition (pander)
Definition (pander)
1. A male bawd; a pimp; a procurer. Thou art the pander to her dishonor. Shak. 2. Hence, one who ministers to the evil designs and passions of another. Those wicked panders to avarice and ambition. Burke.
To play the pander for.
To act the part of a pander.
"bawd": A person who keeps a house of prostitution, or procures women for a lewd purpose; a procurer or procuress; a lewd person; -- usually applied to a woman.
To procure women for lewd purposes.
"procurer": 1. One who procures, or obtains; one who, or that which, brings on, or causes to be done, esp. by corrupt means. 2. One who procures the gratification of lust for another; a pimp; a pander. South.
Difficulty: 16.09
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18104
Then
he
met
Maurizio,
and
for
two
years
he’d
pandered
for
the
pimp,
procuring
clients
and
putting
them
together
with
the
girls
in
Maurizio’s
stable.
1289
philanderer
prev
next
Definition
Definition
One who hangs about women; a male flirt. [R.] C. Kingsley.
Difficulty: 16.08
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17581
That
style
was
two
parts
showman,
two
parts
flatterer,
and
one
part
philanderer,
combined
with
a
hint
of
mischief,
a
sniff
of
condescension,
and
a
pinch
of
contempt.
1290
panoramic
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Of, pertaining to, or like, a panorama. Panoramic camera. See under Camera.
Difficulty: 16.08
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 22173
For
once,
the
cloudy
mists
and
snow
had
cleared
enough
for
us
to
take
in
the
whole,
panoramic
sweep
of
the
view.
1291
cheekbone
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.08
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18017
Ulla
bore
a
cut
on
her
face
from
the
cheekbone
almost
to
the
chin.
1292
instigator
prev
next
Definition
Definition
One who instigates or incites. Burke.
Difficulty: 16.08
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 19444
It
took
me
a
while
to
understand
that
anger,
and
to
realise
that
Khaderbhai
was
its
instigator
and
its
target.
1293
lampshade
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.08
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 19730
The
room
I
chose
had
a
cot
with
a
kapok
mattress,
a
weathered
carpet,
a
small
cabinet
with
wickerwork
doors,
a
lamp
with
a
silk
lampshade,
and
a
large
clay
matka
filled
with
water.
1294
affable
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Easy to be spoken to or addressed; receiving others kindly and conversing with them in a free and friendly manner; courteous; sociable. An affable and courteous gentleman. Shak. His manners polite and affable. Macaulay. 2. Gracious; mild; benign. A serene and affable countenance. Tatler. Syn. -- Courteous; civil; complaisant; accessible; mild; benign; condescending.
"complaisant": Desirous to please; courteous; obliging; compliant; as, a complaisant gentleman. There are to whom my satire seems too bold: Scarce to wise Peter complaisant enough. Pope. Syn. -- Obliging; courteous; affable; gracious; civil; polite; well-bred. See Obliging. -- Com"plai*sant`ly, adv. -- Com"plai*sant`ness, n.
Difficulty: 16.07
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8079
‘Hey
come
on!’
she
chided,
curling
her
lip
in
an
affable
smirk.
1295
straddling
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Applied to spokes when they are arranged alternately in two circles in the hub. See Straddle, v. i., and Straddle, v. t., 3. Knight.
"straddle": 1. To part the legs wide; to stand or to walk with the legs far apart. 2. To stand with the ends staggered; -- said of the spokes of a wagon wheel where they join the hub.
To place one leg on one side and the other on the other side of; to stand or sit astride of; as, to straddle a fence or a horse.
1. The act of standing, sitting, or walking, with the feet far apart. 2. The position, or the distance between the feet, of one who straddles; as, a wide straddle. 3. A stock option giving the holder the double privilege of a "put" and a "call," i. e., securing to the buyer of the option the right either to demand of the seller at a certain price, within a certain time, certain securities, or to require him to take at the same price, and within the same time, the same securities. [Broker's Cant]
"alternately": 1. In reciprocal succession; succeeding by turns; in alternate order. 2. (Math.) By alternation; when, in a proportion, the antecedent term is compared with antecedent, and consequent.
Difficulty: 16.07
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9993
I
sat
on
a
straight-backed
chair,
straddling
it,
so
that
my
forearms
could
rest
on
the
back.
1296
recusant
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Obstinate in refusal; specifically, in English history, refusing to acknowledge the supremacy of the king in the churc, or to conform to the established rites of the church; as, a recusant lord. It stated him to have placed his son in the household of the Countess of Derby, a recusant papist. Sir W. Scott.
1. One who is obstinate in refusal; one standing out stubbornly against general practice or opinion. The last rebellious recusants among the European family of nations. De Quincey. 2. (Eng. Hist.) A person who refuses to acknowledge the supremacy of the king in matters of religion; as, a Roman Catholic recusant, who acknowledges the supremacy of the pope. Brande & C. 3. One who refuses communion with the Church of England; a nonconformist. All that are recusants of holy rites. Holyday.
"hist": Hush; be silent; -- a signal for silence. Milton.
"holyday": 1. A religious festival. 2. A secular festival; a holiday. Note: Holiday is the preferable and prevailing spelling in the second sense. The spelling holy day or holyday in often used in the first sense.
"papist": A Roman catholic; one who adheres to the Church of Rome and the authority of the pope; -- an offensive designation applied to Roman Catholics by their opponents.
"nonconformist": One who does not conform to an established church; especially, one who does not conform to the established church of England; a dissenter.
Difficulty: 16.07
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 25249
And
those
attitudes,
their
gravitas
and
my
recusant
impulse
to
laugh,
registered
the
difference
between
us.
1297
mountaineers
prev
next
Definition (mountaineer)
Definition (mountaineer)
1. An inhabitant of a mountain; one who lives among mountains. 2. A rude, fierce person. [Obs.] No savage fierce, bandit, or mountaineer. Milton.
To lie or act as a mountaineer; to climb mountains. You can't go mountaineering in a flat country. H. James.
"inhabitant": 1. One who dwells or resides permanently in a place, as distinguished from a transient lodger or visitor; as, an inhabitant of a house, a town, a city, county, or state. "Frail inhabitants of earth." Cowper. In this place, they report that they saw inhabitants which were very fair and fat people. Abp. Abbot. 2. (Law) One who has a legal settlement in a town, city, or parish; a permanent resident.
Difficulty: 16.07
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7611
It’s
sort
of
like
a
base
camp
that
mountaineers
use
when
they
climb
Everest.’
1298
vestibule
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The porch or entrance into a house; a hall or antechamber next the entrance; a lobby; a porch; a hall. Vestibule of the ear. (Anat.) See under Ear. -- Vestibule of the vulva (Anat.), a triangular space between the nymphæ, in which the orifice of the urethra is situated. -- Vestibule train (Railroads), a train of passenger cars having the space between the end doors of adjacent cars inclosed, so as to admit of leaving the doors open to provide for intercommunication between all the cars. Syn. -- Hall; passage. -- Vestibule, Hall, Passage. A vestibule is a small apartment within the doors of a building. A hall is the first large apartment beyond the vestibule, and, in the United States, is often long and narrow, serving as a passage to the several apartments. In England, the hall is generally square or oblong, and a long, narrow space of entrance is called a passage, not a hall, as in America. Vestibule is often used in a figurative sense to denote a place of entrance. "The citizens of Rome placed the images of their ancestors in the vestibules of their houses." Bolingbroke
"oblong": Having greater length than breadth, esp. when rectangular.
A rectangular figure longer than it is broad; hence, any figure longer than it is broad. The best figure of a garden I esteem an oblong upon a descent. Sir W. Temple.
"antechamber": 1. A chamber or apartment before the chief apartment and leading into it, in which persons wait for audience; an outer chamber. See Lobby. 2. A space viewed as the outer chamber or the entrance to an interior part. The mouth, the antechamber to the digestive canal. Todd & Bowman.
"figurative": 1. Representing by a figure, or by resemblance; typical; representative. This, they will say, was figurative, and served, by God's appointment, but for a time, to shadow out the true glory of a more divine sanctity. Hooker. 2. Used in a sense that is tropical, as a metaphor; not literal; -- applied to words and expressions. 3. Ambounding in figures of speech; flowery; florid; as, a highly figurative description. 4. Relating to the representation of form or figure by drawing, carving, etc. See Figure, n., 2. They belonged to a nation dedicated to the figurative arts, and they wrote for a public familiar with painted form. J. A. Symonds. Figurative counterpointdescant. See under Figurate. -- Fig"ur*a*tive*ly, adv. -- Fig"ur*a*tive*ness, n.
"denote": 1. To mark out plainly; to signify by a visible sign; to serve as the sign or name of; to indicate; to point out; as, the hands of the clock denote the hour. The better to denote her to the doctor. Shak. 2. To be the sign of; to betoken; to signify; to mean. A general expression to denote wickedness of every sort. Gilpin.
"intercommunication": Mutual communication. Owen.
"urethra": The canal by which the urine is conducted from the bladder and discharged.
"vulva": 1. (Anat.) The external parts of the female genital organs; sometimes, the opening between the projecting parts of the external organs. 2. (Zoöl.) The orifice of the oviduct of an insect or other invertebrate.
Difficulty: 16.07
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9926
Just
as
I
made
up
my
mind
to
go
inside
and
search
the
mosque,
Tariq
came
into
view,
passing
from
right
to
left
across
the
huge,
ornately
tiled
vestibule.
1299
mountaineer
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. An inhabitant of a mountain; one who lives among mountains. 2. A rude, fierce person. [Obs.] No savage fierce, bandit, or mountaineer. Milton.
To lie or act as a mountaineer; to climb mountains. You can't go mountaineering in a flat country. H. James.
"inhabitant": 1. One who dwells or resides permanently in a place, as distinguished from a transient lodger or visitor; as, an inhabitant of a house, a town, a city, county, or state. "Frail inhabitants of earth." Cowper. In this place, they report that they saw inhabitants which were very fair and fat people. Abp. Abbot. 2. (Law) One who has a legal settlement in a town, city, or parish; a permanent resident.
Difficulty: 16.07
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26921
More
than
just
the
sum
of
good
features—high
cheekbones,
a
high,
wide
forehead,
expressive
topaz-coloured
eyes,
a
strong
nose,
smiling
mouth,
and
firm
chin—it
was
the
kind
of
face
that
once
would’ve
been
called
dashing:
the
lone
yachtsman,
the
mountaineer,
the
jungle
adventurer.
1300
devotionals
prev
next
Definition (devotional)
Definition (devotional)
Pertaining to, suited to, or used in, devotion; as, a devotional posture; devotional exercises; a devotional frame of mind.
Difficulty: 16.06
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4267
A
weeping
rendition
of
the
Indian
national
anthem
was
followed
by
religious
devotionals.
1301
retinue
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The body of retainers who follow a prince or other distinguished person; a train of attendants; a suite. Others of your insolent retinue. Shak. What followers, what retinue canst thou gain Milton. To have at one's retinue, to keep or employ as a retainer; to retain. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Difficulty: 16.06
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7095
Kano
the
bear
had
released
me
from
the
hug,
and
was
already
at
the
end
of
the
short
lane,
lumbering
away
with
his
slow,
thumping
tread
in
the
company
of
his
handlers
and
the
retinue
of
people
and
maddened
dogs.
1302
arbitrarily
prev
next
Definition
Definition
In an arbitrary manner; by will only; despotically; absolutely.
Difficulty: 16.06
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11644
Aunt
Penny
deprived
Karla,
punished
her
arbitrarily,
chastised
and
belittled
her
constantly,
and
did
everything
but
throw
the
girl
into
the
street.
1303
squalled
prev
next
Definition (squall)
Definition (squall)
A sudden violent gust of wind often attended with rain or snow. The gray skirts of a lifting squall. Tennyson. Black squall, a squall attended with dark, heavy clouds. -- Thick squall, a black squall accompanied by rain, hail, sleet, or snow. Totten. -- White squall, a squall which comes unexpectedly, without being marked in its approach by the clouds. Totten.
To cry out; to scream or cry violently, as a woman frightened, or a child in anger or distress; as, the infant squalled.
A loud scream; a harsh cry. There oft are heard the notes of infant woe, -The short, thick sob, loud scream, and shriller squall. Pope.
Difficulty: 16.06
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11816
The
rain
had
squalled
through
the
morning,
and
by
noon
it
seemed
to
have
settled
into
the
kind
of
sultry,
dozing
drizzle
that
sometimes
lasts
for
days.
1304
squalls
prev
next
Definition (squall)
Definition (squall)
A sudden violent gust of wind often attended with rain or snow. The gray skirts of a lifting squall. Tennyson. Black squall, a squall attended with dark, heavy clouds. -- Thick squall, a black squall accompanied by rain, hail, sleet, or snow. Totten. -- White squall, a squall which comes unexpectedly, without being marked in its approach by the clouds. Totten.
To cry out; to scream or cry violently, as a woman frightened, or a child in anger or distress; as, the infant squalled.
A loud scream; a harsh cry. There oft are heard the notes of infant woe, -The short, thick sob, loud scream, and shriller squall. Pope.
Difficulty: 16.06
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 22109
Snow
fell
in
fitful
gusts
and
squalls
that
left
us
sodden
in
our
many-layered
patchwork
uniforms.
1305
accentuated
prev
next
Definition (accentuate)
Definition (accentuate)
1. To pronounce with an accent or with accents. 2. To bring out distinctly; to make prominent; to emphasize. In Bosnia, the struggle between East and West was even more accentuated. London Times. 3. To mark with the written accent.
Difficulty: 16.05
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 2393
The
fine
dagger-line
of
his
moustache
accentuated
his
scowl,
and
he
looked
at
me
with
such
undiluted
loathing
that
a
little
prayer
unfurled
itself
in
my
mind.
1306
wispy
prev
next
Definition (wisp)
Definition (wisp)
1. A small bundle, as of straw or other like substance. In a small basket, on a wisp of hay. Dryden. 2. A whisk, or small broom. 3. A Will-o'-the-wisp; an ignis fatuus. The wisp that flickers where no foot can tread. Tennyson.
1. To brush or dress, an with a wisp. 2. To rumple. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
Difficulty: 16.05
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4377
I
am
sorry
to
disturb.’
The
voice
belonged
to
a
tall,
thin
foreigner—German,
or
Swiss,
perhaps—with
a
wispy
beard
attached
to
the
point
of
his
long
face,
and
fair
hair
pulled
back
into
a
thick
plait.
1307
mandala
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.05
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 10600
He
fell
silent,
staring
into
the
mandala
of
veins
on
the
back
of
his
hand.
1308
indomitable
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Not to be subdued; untamable; invincible; as, an indomitable will, courage, animal.
Difficulty: 16.05
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11545
The
large,
green
eyes
blazed,
indomitable,
and
she
was
never
more
beautiful.
1309
billeted
prev
next
Definition (billet)
Definition (billet)
1. A small paper; a note; a short letter. "I got your melancholy billet." Sterne. 2. A ticket from a public officer directing soldiers at what house to lodge; as, a billet of residence.
To direct, by a ticket or note, where to lodge. Hence: To quarter, or place in lodgings, as soldiers in private houses. Billeted in so antiquated a mansion. W. Irving.
1. A small stick of wood, as for firewood. They shall beat out my brains with billets. Shak. 2. (Metal.) A short bar of metal, as of gold or iron. 3. (Arch.) An ornament in Norman work, resembling a billet of wood either square or round. 4. (Saddlery) (a) A strap which enters a buckle. (b) A loop which receives the end of a buckled strap. Knight. 5. (Her.) A bearing in the form of an oblong rectangle.
"saddlery": 1. The materials for making saddles and harnesses; the articles usually offered for sale in a saddler's shop. 2. The trade or employment of a saddler.
"oblong": Having greater length than breadth, esp. when rectangular.
A rectangular figure longer than it is broad; hence, any figure longer than it is broad. The best figure of a garden I esteem an oblong upon a descent. Sir W. Temple.
Difficulty: 16.05
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 22159
In
the
mornings
I
tended
to
the
horses,
which
were
billeted
in
another
cave
further
down
the
mountain.
1310
wrung
prev
next
Definition
Definition
imp. & p. p. of Wring.
Difficulty: 16.05
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24110
A
memory
of
Khaled
wrung
out
my
heart—I
used
to
run
up
these
stairs
with
Khaled,
with
Khaled,
with
Khaled—and
I
clenched
my
jaw
against
it,
just
as
I
bit
down
on
the
pain
in
my
wounded
shins.
1311
recognisable
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.05
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4541
Their
legs
became
huge,
bloated
out
of
recognisable
shape,
and
covered
with
purple
varicose
boils.
1312
varicose
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Irregularly swollen or enlarged; affected with, or containing, varices, or varicosities; of or pertaining to varices, or varicosities; as, a varicose nerve fiber; a varicose vein; varicose ulcers. 2. (Med.) Intended for the treatment of varicose veins; -- said of elastic stockings, bandages. and the like.
"varices": See Varix.
"irregularly": In an irregular manner.
Difficulty: 16.05
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4541
Their
legs
became
huge,
bloated
out
of
recognisable
shape,
and
covered
with
purple
varicose
boils.
1313
culled
prev
next
Definition (cull)
Definition (cull)
To separate, select, or pick out; to choose and gather or collect; as, to cuil flowers. From his herd he culls, For slaughter, from the fairest of his bulls. Dryden. Whitest honey in fairy gardens culled. Tennyson.
A cully; a dupe; a gull. See Gully.
"culls": 1. Refuse timber, from which the best part has been culled out. 2. Any refuse stuff, as rolls not properly baked.
Difficulty: 16.05
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 10277
Some
of
them
were
culled
from
various
novels
and
other
texts,
each
one
attributed
to
the
respective
author
and
annotated
with
her
own
comments
and
criticisms.
1314
drooping
prev
next
Definition (droop)
Definition (droop)
1. To hang bending downward; to sink or hang down, as an animal, plant, etc., from physical inability or exhaustion, want of nourishment, or the like. "The purple flowers droop." "Above her drooped a lamp." Tennyson. I saw him ten days before he died, and observed he began very much to droop and languish. Swift. 2. To grow weak or faint with disappointment, grief, or like causes; to be dispirited or depressed; to languish; as, her spirits drooped. I'll animate the soldier's drooping courage. Addison. 3. To proceed downward, or toward a close; to decline. "Then day drooped." Tennyson.
To let droop or sink. [R.] M. Arnold. Like to a withered vine That droops his sapless branches to the ground. Shak.
A drooping; as, a droop of the eye.
"languish": 1. To become languid or weak; to lose strength or animation; to be or become dull, feeble or spiritless; to pine away; to wither or fade. We . . . do languish of such diseases. 2 Esdras viii. 31. Cease, fond nature, cease thy strife, And let me landguish into life. Pope. For the fields of Heshbon languish. Is. xvi. 8. 2. To assume an expression of weariness or tender grief, appealing for sympathy. Tennyson. Syn. -- To pine; wither; fade; droop; faint.
To cause to dr [Obs.] Shak. Dryden.
See Languishiment. [Obs. or Poetic] What, of death, too, That rids our dogs of languish Shak. And the blue languish of soft Allia's eye. Pope.
"dispirited": Depressed in spirits; disheartened; daunted. -- Dis*pir"it*ed*ly, adv. -- Dis*pir"it*ed, n.
"sapless": 1. Destitute of sap; not juicy. 2. Fig.: Dry, old; husky; withered; spiritless. "A somewhat sapless womanhood." Lowell. Now sapless on the verge of death he stands. Dryden.
Difficulty: 16.05
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 12256
The
hook
held
my
bound
hands
in
the
bunched
ropes,
and
my
head
hung
down,
level
with
my
drooping
feet.
1315
agnostics
prev
next
Definition (agnostic)
Definition (agnostic)
Professing ignorance; involving no dogmatic; pertaining to or involving agnosticism. -- Ag*nos"tic*al*ly, adv.
One who professes ignorance, or denies that we have any knowledge, save of phenomena; one who supports agnosticism, neither affirming nor denying the existence of a personal Deity, a future life, etc.
"agnosticism": That doctrine which, professing ignorance, neither asserts nor denies. Specifically: (Theol.) The doctrine that the existence of a personal Deity, an unseen world, etc., can be neither proved nor disproved, because of the necessary limits of the human mind (as sometimes charged upon Hamilton and Mansel), or because of the insufficiency of the evidence furnished by physical and physical data, to warrant a positive conclusion (as taught by the school of Herbert Spencer); -- opposed alike dogmatic skepticism and to dogmatic theism.
"dogmatic": One of an ancient sect of physicians who went by general principles; -- opposed to the Empiric.
1. Pertaining to a dogma, or to an established and authorized doctrine or tenet. 2. Asserting a thing positively and authoritatively; positive; magisterial; hence, arrogantly authoritative; overbearing. Critics write in a positive, dogmatic way. Spectator. [They] are as assertive and dogmatical as if they were omniscient. Glanvill. Dogmatic theology. Same as Dogmatics. Syn. -- Magisterial; arrogant. See Magisterial.
Difficulty: 16.05
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 14699
But
how
can
the
different
religions,
not
to
mention
the
atheists
and
agnostics
and
the
just
plain
confused,
like
me,
ever
find
any
definition
universally
acceptable?
1316
recognisably
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.05
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 23044
One
man
was
so
badly
burned
that
his
fingers
had
fused
together
like
a
crab’s
claws,
and
his
face
wasn’t
recognisably
human.
1317
drooped
prev
next
Definition (droop)
Definition (droop)
1. To hang bending downward; to sink or hang down, as an animal, plant, etc., from physical inability or exhaustion, want of nourishment, or the like. "The purple flowers droop." "Above her drooped a lamp." Tennyson. I saw him ten days before he died, and observed he began very much to droop and languish. Swift. 2. To grow weak or faint with disappointment, grief, or like causes; to be dispirited or depressed; to languish; as, her spirits drooped. I'll animate the soldier's drooping courage. Addison. 3. To proceed downward, or toward a close; to decline. "Then day drooped." Tennyson.
To let droop or sink. [R.] M. Arnold. Like to a withered vine That droops his sapless branches to the ground. Shak.
A drooping; as, a droop of the eye.
"languish": 1. To become languid or weak; to lose strength or animation; to be or become dull, feeble or spiritless; to pine away; to wither or fade. We . . . do languish of such diseases. 2 Esdras viii. 31. Cease, fond nature, cease thy strife, And let me landguish into life. Pope. For the fields of Heshbon languish. Is. xvi. 8. 2. To assume an expression of weariness or tender grief, appealing for sympathy. Tennyson. Syn. -- To pine; wither; fade; droop; faint.
To cause to dr [Obs.] Shak. Dryden.
See Languishiment. [Obs. or Poetic] What, of death, too, That rids our dogs of languish Shak. And the blue languish of soft Allia's eye. Pope.
"dispirited": Depressed in spirits; disheartened; daunted. -- Dis*pir"it*ed*ly, adv. -- Dis*pir"it*ed, n.
"sapless": 1. Destitute of sap; not juicy. 2. Fig.: Dry, old; husky; withered; spiritless. "A somewhat sapless womanhood." Lowell. Now sapless on the verge of death he stands. Dryden.
Difficulty: 16.05
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24432
The
pouches
beneath
his
eyes
drooped
past
the
peak
of
his
cheekbones
and
reminded
me,
with
a
shiver,
of
those
that
had
dragged
down
the
eyes
of
the
madman
Habib.
1318
fractal
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.04
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 8896
‘I
…
I
…
I’m
not
sure
what
you
mean?’
I
stammered,
my
brain
soundlessly
exploding
in
fractal
repetitions
of
the
pattern
in
the
carpet
beneath
my
feet.
1319
proficiency
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The quality of state of being proficient; advance in the acquisition of any art, science, or knowledge; progression in knowledge; improvement; adeptness; as, to acquire proficiency in music.
"adeptness": The quality of being adept; skill.
Difficulty: 16.04
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 9430
I
knew
that
if
they
had
no
special
reason
to
suspect
or
challenge
me,
my
proficiency
with
the
Marathi
language
would
please
them
as
much
as
it
surprised
them.
1320
asterisks
prev
next
Definition (asterisk)
Definition (asterisk)
The figure of a star, thus,
Difficulty: 16.04
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 10281
Certain
words
and
their
dictionary
meanings
were
listed
throughout
the
journal
and
marked
with
asterisks,
forming
a
running
vocabulary
of
unusual
and
obscure
words.
1321
nape
prev
next
Definition
Definition
The back part of the neck. Spenser.
Difficulty: 16.04
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11522
Her
black
hair
was
pulled
back
tightly
and
fastened
at
the
nape
of
her
neck.
1322
passkey
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.04
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 16434
Vikram,
Abdullah,
and
I
stood
outside
the
door
to
their
room,
with
a
passkey
poised
over
the
lock.
1323
dhotis
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.03
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 4204
They
were
dressed
in
dhotis
and
white
caps
like
the
farmers
in
Prabaker’s
village,
and
they
sat
on
the
floor
to
eat
a
hearty
meal
of
dhal,
rice,
and
roti.
1324
throb
prev
next
Definition
Definition
To beat, or pulsate, with more than usual force or rapidity; to beat in consequence of agitation; to palpitate; -- said of the heart, pulse, etc. My heart Throbs to know one thing. Shak. Here may his head lie on my throbbing breast. Shak.
A beat, or strong pulsation, as of the heart and arteries; a violent beating; a papitation: The IMPATIENT throbs and longings of a soul That pants and reaches after distant good. Addison.
"pulsation": 1. (Physiol.) A beating or throbbing, especially of the heart or of an artery, or in an inflamed part; a beat of the pulse. 2. A single beat or throb of a series. 3. A stroke or impulse by which some medium is affected, as in the propagation of sounds. 4. (Law) Any touching of another's body willfully or in anger. This constitutes battery. By the Cornelian law, pulsation as well as verberation is prohibited. Blackstone.
"pulsate": To throb, as a pulse; to beat, as the heart. The heart of a viper or frog will continue to pulsate long after it is taken from the body. E. Darwin.
"rapidity": The quality or state of being rapid; swiftness; celerity; velocity; as, the rapidity of growth or improvement. Syn. -- -- Rapidness; haste; speed; celerity; velocity; swiftness; fleetness; quickness; agility.
"palpitate": To beat rapidly and more strongly than usual; to throb; to bound with emotion or exertion; to pulsate violently; to flutter; -- said specifically of the heart when its action is abnormal, as from excitement.
Difficulty: 16.03
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 6954
Across
that
half-metre
of
air,
I
felt
the
reverberations
of
the
feral
noise
throb
against
my
chest.
1325
smorgasbord
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.03
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17001
The
hotel
also
offered
one
of
the
best
and
most
comprehensively
eclectic
smorgasbord
lunches
in
the
city.
1326
abhorrent
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Abhorring; detesting; having or showing abhorrence; loathing; hence, strongly opposed to; as, abhorrent thoughts. The persons most abhorrent from blood and treason. Burke. The arts of pleasure in despotic courts I spurn abhorrent. Clover. 2. Contrary or repugnant; discordant; inconsistent; -- followed by to. "Injudicious profanation, so abhorrent to our stricter principles." Gibbon. 3. Detestable. "Pride, abhorrent as it is." I. Taylor.
"abhorring": 1. Detestation. Milton. 2. Object of abhorrence. Isa. lxvi. 24.
"despotic": Having the character of, or pertaining to, a despot; absolute in power; possessing and abusing unlimited power; evincing despotism; tyrannical; arbitrary. -- Des*pot"ic*al*ly, adv. -- Des*pot"ic*al*ness, n.
"spurn": 1. To drive back or away, as with the foot; to kick. [The bird] with his foot will spurn adown his cup. Chaucer. I spurn thee like a cur out of my way. Shak. 2. To reject with disdain; to scorn to receive or accept; to treat with contempt. What safe and nicely I might well delay By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn. Shak. Domestics will pay a more cheerful service when they find themselves not spurned because fortune has laid them at their master's feet. Locke.
1. To kick or toss up the heels. The miller spurned at a stone. Chaucer. The drunken chairman in the kennel spurns. Gay. 2. To manifest disdain in rejecting anything; to make contemptuous opposition or resistance. Nay, more, to spurn at your most royal image. Shak.
1. A kick; a blow with the foot. [R.] What defence can properly be used in such a despicable encounter as this but either the slap or the spurn Milton. 2. Disdainful rejection; contemptuous tratment. The insolence of office and the spurns That patient merit of the unworthy takes. Shak. 3. (Mining) A body of coal left to sustain an overhanding mass.
"injudicious": 1. Not judicious; wanting in sound judgment; undiscerning; indiscreet; unwise; as, an injudicious adviser. An injudicious biographer who undertook to be his editor and the protector of his memory. A. Murphy. 2. Not according to sound judgment or discretion; unwise; as, an injudicious measure. Syn. -- Indiscreet; inconsiderate; undiscerning; incautious; unwise; rash; hasty; imprudent.
"abhorrence": Extreme hatred or detestation; the feeling of utter dislike.
"profanation": 1. The act of violating sacred things, or of treating them with contempt or irreverence; irreverent or too familiar treatment or use of what is sacred; desecration; as, the profanation of the Sabbath; the profanation of a sanctuary; the profanation of the name of God. 2. The act of treating with abuse or disrespect, or with undue publicity, or lack of delicacy. 'T were profanation of our joys To tell the laity our love. Donne.
Difficulty: 16.03
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 26316
They
were
deeply
moving
in
their
beauty,
for
the
first
few
stanzas,
but
always
found
their
way
into
sexual
descriptions
and
allusions
so
perverse
and
abhorrent
that
strong,
wicked
men
winced
to
hear
them.
1327
mitra
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.02
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3372
‘Maza
mitra
ahey,’
Prabaker
answered
with
contrived
nonchalance,
trying
in
vain
to
disguise
his
pride.
1328
grift
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.02
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 18102
Schooled
more
in
crime
than
in
scholarship,
and
barely
literate,
he’d
worked
his
way
from
swindle
to
grift
to
petty
larceny
across
Turkey,
Iran,
Pakistan,
and
India.
1329
fou
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.02
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 21287
Habib,
the
fou,
the
crazy
one,
he
knows
the
way.
1330
torturous
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Involving, or pertaining to, torture. [R.] "The torturous crucifixion." I. Disraeli.
Difficulty: 16.02
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24084
And
then,
after
three
weeks
of
that
maddening,
torturous
pain
and
massive,
self-medicated
doses
of
penicillin
and
hot
antibiotic
washes,
the
wound
healed
and
the
pain
receded
from
me
just
as
memories
do,
like
landmarks
on
a
distant,
foggy
shore.
1331
scruff
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Scurf. [Obs.]
The nape of the neck; the loose outside skin, as of the back of the neck.
"scurf": 1. Thin dry scales or scabs upon the body; especially, thin scales exfoliated from the cuticle, particularly of the scalp; dandruff. 2. Hence, the foul remains of anything adherent. The scurf is worn away of each committed crime. Dryden. 3. Anything like flakes or scales adhering to a surface. There stood a hill not far, whose grisly top Belched fire and rolling smoke; the rest entire Shone with a glossy scurf. Milton. 4. (Bot.) Minute membranous scales on the surface of some leaves, as in the goosefoot. Gray.
"nape": The back part of the neck. Spenser.
Difficulty: 16.02
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 27606
Pushing
between
us,
he
seized
Andrew
by
the
wrist
and
a
scruff
of
shirtsleeve.
1332
panchayat
prev
next
Difficulty: 16.01
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3861
Her
father
was
head
of
a
village
council,
a
panchayat,
and
Rukhmabai
could
read
and
write,
in
Hindi
and
Marathi.
1333
skewed
prev
next
Definition (skew)
Definition (skew)
Awry; obliquely; askew.
Turned or twisted to one side; situated obliquely; skewed; -- chiefly used in technical phrases. Skew arch, an oblique arch. See under Oblique. -- Skew back. (Civil Engin.) (a) The course of masonry, the stone, or the iron plate, having an inclined face, which forms the abutment for the voussoirs of a segmental arch. (b) A plate, cap, or shoe, having an inclined face to receive the nut of a diagonal brace, rod, or the end of an inclined strut, in a truss or frame. -- Skew bridge. See under Bridge, n. -- Skew curve (Geom.), a curve of double curvature, or a twisted curve. See Plane curve, under Curve. -- Skew gearing, or Skew bevel gearing (Mach.), toothed gearing, generally resembling bevel gearing, for connecting two shafts that are neither parallel nor intersecting, and in which the teeth slant across the faces of the gears. -- Skew surface (Geom.), a ruled surface such that in general two successive generating straight lines do not intersect; a warped surface; as, the helicoid is a skew surface. -- Skew symmetrical determinant (Alg.), a determinant in which the elements in each column of the matrix are equal to the elements of the corresponding row of the matrix with the signs changed, as in (1), below. (1) 0 2 -3-2 0 53 -5 0 (2) 4 -1 71 8 -2-7 2 1 Note: This requires that the numbers in the diagonal from the upper left to lower right corner be zeros. A like determinant in which the numbers in the diagonal are not zeros is a skew determinant, as in (2), above.
A stone at the foot of the slope of a gable, the offset of a buttress, or the like, cut with a sloping surface and with a check to receive the coping stones and retain them in place.
1. To walk obliquely; to go sidling; to lie or move obliquely. Child, you must walk straight, without skewing. L'Estrange. 2. To start aside; to shy, as a horse. [Prov. Eng.] 3. To look obliquely; to squint; hence, to look slightingly or suspiciously. Beau & Fl.
1. To shape or form in an oblique way; to cause to take an oblique position. 2. To throw or hurl obliquely.
"obliquely": In an oblique manner; not directly; indirectly. "Truth obliquely leveled." Bp. Fell. Declining from the noon of day, The sun obliquely shoots his burning ray. Pope His discourse tends obliquely to the detracting from others. Addison.
"buttress": 1. (Arch.) A projecting mass of masonry, used for resisting the thrust of an arch, or for ornament and symmetry. Note: When an external projection is used merely to stiffen a wall, it is a pier. 2. Anything which supports or strengthens. "The ground pillar and buttress of the good old cause of nonconformity." South. Flying buttress. See Flying buttress.
To support with a buttress; to prop; to brace firmly. To set it upright again, and to prop and buttress it up for duration. Burke.
"slightingly": In a slighting manner.
"bevel": 1. Any angle other than a right angle; the angle which one surface makes with another when they are not at right angles; the slant or inclination of such surface; as, to give a bevel to the edge of a table or a stone slab; the bevel of a piece of timber. 2. An instrument consisting of two rules or arms, jointed together at one end, and opening to any angle, for adjusting the surfaces of work to the same or a given inclination; -- called also a bevel square. Gwilt.
1. Having the slant of a bevel; slanting. 2. Hence: Morally distorted; not upright. [Poetic] I may be straight, though they themselves be bevel. Shak. A bevel angle, any angle other than one of 90º. -- Bevel wheel, a cogwheel whose working face is oblique to the axis. Knight.
To cut to a bevel angle; to slope the edge or surface of.
To deviate or incline from an angle of 90 Their houses are very ill built, the walls bevel. Swift.
"abutment": 1. State of abutting. 2. That on or against which a body abuts or presses; as (a) (Arch.) The solid part of a pier or wall, etc., which receives the thrust or lateral pressure of an arch, vault, or strut. Gwilt. (b) (mech.) A fixed point or surface from which resistance or reaction is obtained, as the cylinder head of a steam engine, the fulcrum of a lever, etc. (c) In breech-loading firearms, the block behind the barrel which receives the pressure due to recoil.
"toothed": 1. Having teeth; furnished with teeth. "Ruby-lipped and toothed with pearl." Herrick. 2. (Bot. & Zoöl.) Having marginal projecting points; dentate. Toothed whale (Zoöl.), any whale of the order Denticete. See Denticete. -- Toothed wheel, a wheel with teeth or projections cut or set on its edge or circumference, for transmitting motion by their action on the engaging teeth of another wheel.
"oblique": 1. Not erect or perpendicular; neither parallel to, nor at right angles from, the base; slanting; inclined. It has a direction oblique to that of the former motion. Cheyne. 2. Not straightforward; indirect; obscure; hence, disingenuous; underhand; perverse; sinister. The love we bear our friends... Hath in it certain oblique ends. Drayton. This mode of oblique research, when a more direct one is denied, we find to be the only one in our power. De Quincey. Then would be closed the restless, oblique eye. That looks for evil, like a treacherous spy. Wordworth. 3. Not direct in descent; not following the line of father and son; collateral. His natural affection in a direct line was strong, in an oblique but weak. Baker. Oblique angle, Oblique ascension, etc. See under Angle,Ascension, etc. -- Oblique arch (Arch.), an arch whose jambs are not at right angles with the face, and whose intrados is in consequence askew. -- Oblique bridge, a skew bridge. See under Bridge, n. -- Oblique case (Gram.), any case except the nominative. See Case, n. -- Oblique circle (Projection), a circle whose plane is oblique to the axis of the primitive plane. -- Oblique fire (Mil.), a fire the direction of which is not perpendicular to the line fired at. -- Oblique flank (Fort.), that part of the curtain whence the fire of the opposite bastion may be discovered. Wilhelm. -- Oblique leaf. (Bot.) (a) A leaf twisted or inclined from the normal position. (b) A leaf having one half different from the other. -- Oblique line (Geom.), a line that, meeting or tending to meet another, makes oblique angles with it. -- Oblique motion (Mus.), a kind of motion or progression in which one part ascends or descends, while the other prolongs or repeats the same tone, as in the accompanying example. -- Oblique muscle (Anat.), a muscle acting in a direction oblique to the mesial plane of the body, or to the associated muscles; -- applied especially to two muscles of the eyeball. -- Oblique narration. See Oblique speech. -- Oblique planes (Dialing), planes which decline from the zenith, or incline toward the horizon. -- Oblique sailing (Naut.), the movement of a ship when she sails upon some rhumb between the four cardinal points, making an oblique angle with the meridian. -- Oblique speech (Rhet.), speech which is quoted indirectly, or in a different person from that employed by the original speaker. -- Oblique sphere (Astron. & Geog.), the celestial or terrestrial sphere when its axis is oblique to the horizon of the place; or as it appears to an observer at any point on the earth except the poles and the equator. -- Oblique step (Mil.), a step in marching, by which the soldier, while advancing, gradually takes ground to the right or left at an angle of about 25º. It is not now practiced. Wilhelm. -- Oblique system of coördinates (Anal. Geom.), a system in which the coördinate axes are oblique to each other.
An oblique line.
1. To deviate from a perpendicular line; to move in an oblique direction. Projecting his person towards it in a line which obliqued from the bottom of his spine. Sir. W. Scott. 2. (Mil.) To march in a direction oblique to the line of the column or platoon; -- formerly accomplished by oblique steps, now by direct steps, the men half-facing either to the right or left.
"sloping": Inclining or inclined from the plane of the horizon, or from a horizontal or other right line; oblique; declivous; slanting. -- Slop"ing*ly, adv. The sloping land recedes into the clouds. Cowper.
"helicoid": 1. Spiral; curved, like the spire of a univalve shell. 2. (Zoöl.) Shaped like a snail shell; pertaining to the Helicidæ, or Snail family. Helicoid parabola (Math.), the parabolic spiral.
A warped surface which may be generated by a straight line moving in such a manner that every point of the line shall have a uniform motion in the direction of another fixed straight line, and at the same time a uniform angular motion about it.
"segmental": 1. Relating to, or being, a segment. 2. (Anat. & Zoöl.) (a) Of or pertaining to the segments of animals; as, a segmental duct; segmental papillæ. (b) Of or pertaining to the segmental organs. Segmental duct (Anat.), the primitive duct of the embryonic excretory organs which gives rise to the Wolffian duct and ureter; the pronephric duct. -- Segmental organs. (a) (Anat.) The embryonic excretory organs of vertebrates, consisting primarily of the segmental tubes and segmental ducts. (b) (Zoöl.) The tubular excretory organs, a pair of which often occur in each of several segments in annelids. They serve as renal organs, and often, also, as oviducts and sperm ducts. See Illust. under Sipunculacea. -- Segmental tubes (Anat.), the tubes which primarily open into the segmental duct, some of which become the urinary tubules of the adult.
"determinant": Serving to determine or limit; determinative.
1. That which serves to determine; that which causes determination. 2. (Math.) The sum of a series of products of several numbers, these products being formed according to certain specified laws; thus, the determinant of the nine numbers. a, b, c,a', b', c',a'\'b7, b'\'b7, c'\'b7, is a b' c'\'b7 -- a b'\'b7 c' + a' b'\'b7 c] -- a' b c'\'b7 + a'\'b7 b' c. The determinant is written by placing the numbers from which it is formed in a square between two vertical lines. The theory of determinants forms a very important branch of modern mathematics. 3. (Logic) A mark or attribute, attached to the subject or predicate, narrowing the extent of both, but rendering them more definite and precise. Abp. Thomson.
Difficulty: 16.01
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 17429
The
precise
angle
of
one
slightly
skewed
stamp
or
the
casual
blurring
of
another
are
as
significant
to
those
small
canvasses
as
the
shape,
position,
and
colour
of
a
fallen
rose
might
be
in
a
grand
master’s
portrait.
1334
trepidation
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next
Definition
Definition
1. An involuntary trembling, sometimes an effect of paralysis, but usually caused by terror or fear; quaking; quivering. 2. Hence, a state of terror or alarm; fear; confusion; fright; as, the men were in great trepidation. 3. (Anc. Astron.) A libration of the starry sphere in the Ptolemaic system; a motion ascribed to the firmament, to account for certain small changes in the position of the ecliptic and of the stars. Syn. -- Tremor; agitation; disturbance; fear.
"ecliptic": 1. (Astron.) A great circle of the celestial sphere, making an angle with the equinoctial of about 23º 28'. It is the apparent path of the sun, or the real path of the earth as seen from the sun. 2. (Geog.) A great circle drawn on a terrestrial globe, making an angle of 23º 28' with the equator; -- used for illustrating and solving astronomical problems.
1. Pertaining to the ecliptic; as, the ecliptic way. 2. Pertaining to an eclipse or to eclipses. Lunar ecliptic limit (Astron.), the space of 12º on the moon's orbit from the node, within which, if the moon happens to be at full, it will be eclipsed. -- Solar ecliptic limit, the space of 17º from the lunar node, within which, if a conjunction of the sun and moon occur, the sun will be eclipsed.
"libration": 1. The act or state of librating. Jer. Taylor. 2. (Astron.) A real or apparent libratory motion, like that of a balance before coming to rest. Libration of the moon, any one of those small periodical changes in the position of the moon's surface relatively to the earth, in consequence of which narrow portions at opposite limbs become visible or invisible alternately. It receives different names according to the manner in which it takes place; as: (a) Libration in longitude, that which, depending on the place of the moon in its elliptic orbit, causes small portions near the eastern and western borders alternately to appear and disappear each month. (b) Libration in latitude, that which depends on the varying position of the moon's axis in respect to the spectator, causing the alternate appearance and disappearance of either pole. (c) Diurnal or parallactic libration, that which brings into view on the upper limb, at rising and setting, some parts not in the average visible hemisphere.
"quaking": a. & n. from Quake, v. Quaking aspen (Bot.), an American species of poplar (Populus tremuloides), the leaves of which tremble in the lightest breeze. It much resembles the European aspen. See Aspen. -- Quaking bog, a bog of forming peat so saturated with water that it shakes when trodden upon. -- Quaking grass. (Bot.) (a) One of several grasses of the genus Briza, having slender-stalked and pendulous ovate spikelets, which quake and rattle in the wind. Briza maxima is the large quaking grass; B. media and B. minor are the smaller kinds. (b) Rattlesnake grass (Glyceria Canadensis).
"ptolemaic": Of or pertaining to Ptolemy, the geographer and astronomer. Ptolemaic system (Astron.), the system maintained by Ptolemy, who supposed the earth to be fixed in the center of the universe, with the sun and stars revolving around it. This theory was received for ages, until superseded by the Copernican system.
Difficulty: 16.01
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 3602
In
the
hope
of
dispelling
that
trepidation,
I
began
to
practise
my
Indian
head-wiggle.
1335
inevitability
prev
next
Definition
Definition
Impossibility to be avoided or shunned; inevitableness. Shelford.
"inevitableness": The state of being unavoidable; certainty to happen. Prideaux.
Difficulty: 16.01
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11039
Oh
yes,
Vikram’s
pursuit
of
Letitia
proceeds
with
a
certain
bizarre
inevitability.
1336
wistfully
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next
Definition (wistful)
Definition (wistful)
1. Longing; wishful; desirous. Lifting up one of my sashes, I cast many a wistful, melancholy look towards the sea. Swift. 2. Full of thought; eagerly attentive; meditative; musing; pensive; contemplative. That he who there at such an hour hath been, Will wistful linger on that hallowed spot. Byron. -- Wist"ful*ly, adv. -- Wist"ful*ness, n.
"contemplative": 1. Pertaining to contemplation; addicted to, or employed in, contemplation; meditative. Fixed and contemplative their looks. Denham. 2. Having the power of contemplation; as, contemplative faculties. Ray.
A religious or either sex devoted to prayer and meditation, rather than to active works of charity.
"wist": Knew.
"desirous": Feeling desire; eagerly wishing; solicitous; eager to obtain; covetous. Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him. John xvi. 19. Be not desirous of his dainties. Prov. xxiii. 3.
"meditative": Disposed to meditate, or to meditation; as, a meditative man; a meditative mood. -- Med"i*ta*tive*ly, adv. -- Med"i*ta*tive*ness, n.
Difficulty: 16.01
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 15257
‘That’s
good,’
she
said
dreamily,
wistfully,
looking
away.
1337
ravel
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. To separate or undo the texture of; to take apart; to untwist; to unweave or unknit; -- often followed by out; as, to ravel a twist; to ravel out a sticking. Sleep, that knits up the raveled sleave of care. Shak. 2. To undo the intricacies of; to disentangle. 3. To pull apart, as the threads of a texture, and let them fall into a tangled mass; hence, to entangle; to make intricate; to involve. What glory's due to him that could divide Such raveled interests has he not untied Waller. The faith of very many men seems a duty so weak and indifferent, is so often untwisted by violence, or raveled and entangled in weak discourses! Jer. Taylor.
1. To become untwisted or unwoven; to be disentangled; to be relieved of intricacy. 2. To fall into perplexity and confusion. [Obs.] Till, by their own perplexities involved, They ravel more, still less resolved. Milton. 3. To make investigation or search, as by picking out the threads of a woven pattern. [Obs.] The humor of raveling into all these mystical or entangled matters. Sir W. Temple.
"unknit": To undo or unravel what is knitted together. Fie, fie! unknit that threatening unkind brow. Shak.
"untwist": 1. To separate and open, as twisted threads; to turn back, as that which is twisted; to untwine. If one of the twines of the twist do untwist, The twine that untwisteth, untwisteth the twist. Wallis. 2. To untie; to open; to disentangle. Milton.
"knits": Small particles of ore. Raymond.
"raveling": 1. The act of untwisting, or of disentangling. 2. That which is raveled out; esp., a thread detached from a texture.
"sleave": (a) The knotted or entangled part of silk or thread. (b) Silk not yet twisted; floss; -- called also sleave silk. Sleep that knits up the ravell'd sleave of care. Shak.
To separate, as threads; to divide, as a collection of threads; to sley; -- a weaver's term.
"disentangle": 1. To free from entanglement; to release from a condition of being intricately and confusedly involved or interlaced; to reduce to orderly arrangement; to straighten out; as, to disentangle a skein of yarn. 2. To extricate from complication and perplexity; disengage from embarrassing connection or intermixture; to disembroil; to set free; to separate. To disentangle truth from error. Stewart. To extricate and disentangle themselves out of this labyrinth. Clarendon. A mind free and disentangled from all corporeal mixtures. Bp. Stillingfleet. Syn. -- To loose; extricate; disembarrass; disembroil; clear; evolve; disengage; separate; detach.
"entangle": 1. To twist or interweave in such a manner as not to be easily separated; to make tangled, confused, and intricate; as, to entangle yarn or the hair. 2. To involve in such complications as to render extrication a bewildering difficulty; hence, metaphorically, to insnare; to perplex; to bewilder; to puzzle; as, to entangle the feet in a net, or in briers. "Entangling alliances." Washington. The difficulties that perplex men's thoughts and entangle their understandings. Locke. Allowing her to entangle herself with a person whose future was so uncertain. Froude.
"unweave": To unfold; to undo; to ravel, as what has been woven.
"intricacy": The state or quality of being intricate or entangled; perplexity; involution; complication; complexity; that which is intricate or involved; as, the intricacy of a knot; the intricacy of accounts; the intricacy of a cause in controversy; the intricacy of a plot. Freed from intricacies, taught to live The easiest way. Milton.
"perplexity": The quality or state of being perplexed or puzzled; complication; intricacy; entanglement; distraction of mind through doubt or difficulty; embarrassment; bewilderment; doubt. By their own perplexities involved, They ravel more. Milton.
Difficulty: 16.00
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 7495
Although
the
Bombay
Municipal
Corporation
condemned
the
illegal
slum,
and
construction
company
officers
discouraged
contact
between
workers
and
squatters,
the
people
thought
of
themselves
as
one
group;
their
days
and
dreams
and
drives
were
entangled
in
the
ravel
of
ghetto
life.
1338
hobbling
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next
Definition (hobble)
Definition (hobble)
1. To walk lame, bearing chiefly on one leg; to walk with a hitch or hop, or with crutches. The friar was hobbling the same way too. Dryden. 2. To move roughly or irregularly; -- said of style in writing. Prior. The hobbling versification, the mean diction. Jeffreys.
1. To fetter by tying the legs; to hopple; to clog. " They hobbled their horses." Dickens 2. To perplex; to embarrass.
1. An unequal gait; a limp; a halt; as, he has a hobble in his gait. Swift. 2. Same as Hopple. 3. Difficulty; perplexity; embarrassment. Waterton.
"versification": The act, art, or practice, of versifying, or making verses; the construction of poetry; metrical composition.
"perplex": 1. To involve; to entangle; to make intricate or complicated, and difficult to be unraveled or understood; as, to perplex one with doubts. No artful wildness to perplex the scene. Pope. What was thought obscure, perplexed, and too hard for our weak parts, will lie open to the understanding in a fair view. Locke. 2. To embarrass; to puzzle; to distract; to bewilder; to confuse; to trouble with ambiguity, suspense, or anxiety. "Perplexd beyond self- explication." Shak. We are perplexed, but not in despair. 2 Cor. iv. 8. We can distinguish no general truths, or at least shall be apt to perplex the mind. Locke. 3. To plague; to vex; to tormen. Glanvill. Syn. -- To entangle; involve; complicate; embarrass; puzzle; bewilder; confuse; distract. See Embarrass.
Intricate; difficult. [Obs.] Glanvill.
"hopple": 1. To impede by a hopple; to tie the feet of (a horse or a cow) loosely together; to hamper; to hobble; as, to hopple an unruly or straying horse. 2. Fig.: To entangle; to hamper. Dr. H. More.
A fetter for horses, or cattle, when turned out to graze; -- chiefly used in the plural.
"fetter": 1. A chain or shackle for the feet; a chain by which an animal is confined by the foot, either made fast or disabled from free and rapid motion; a bond; a shackle. [They] bound him with fetters of brass. Judg. xvi. 21. 2. Anything that confines or restrains; a restraint. Passion's too fierce to be in fetters bound. Dryden.
1. To put fetters upon; to shakle or confine the feet of with a chain; to bind. My heels are fettered, but my fist is free. Milton. 2. To reastrain from motion; to impose restrains on; to confine; to enchain; as, fettered by obligations. My conscience! thou art fettered More than my shanks and wrists. Shak.
"perplexity": The quality or state of being perplexed or puzzled; complication; intricacy; entanglement; distraction of mind through doubt or difficulty; embarrassment; bewilderment; doubt. By their own perplexities involved, They ravel more. Milton.
"irregularly": In an irregular manner.
Difficulty: 16.00
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 10952
‘Oh,
Lin!’
he
called
out,
hobbling
across
the
broken
ground
on
his
platform
shoes.
1339
hobble
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. To walk lame, bearing chiefly on one leg; to walk with a hitch or hop, or with crutches. The friar was hobbling the same way too. Dryden. 2. To move roughly or irregularly; -- said of style in writing. Prior. The hobbling versification, the mean diction. Jeffreys.
1. To fetter by tying the legs; to hopple; to clog. " They hobbled their horses." Dickens 2. To perplex; to embarrass.
1. An unequal gait; a limp; a halt; as, he has a hobble in his gait. Swift. 2. Same as Hopple. 3. Difficulty; perplexity; embarrassment. Waterton.
"versification": The act, art, or practice, of versifying, or making verses; the construction of poetry; metrical composition.
"perplex": 1. To involve; to entangle; to make intricate or complicated, and difficult to be unraveled or understood; as, to perplex one with doubts. No artful wildness to perplex the scene. Pope. What was thought obscure, perplexed, and too hard for our weak parts, will lie open to the understanding in a fair view. Locke. 2. To embarrass; to puzzle; to distract; to bewilder; to confuse; to trouble with ambiguity, suspense, or anxiety. "Perplexd beyond self- explication." Shak. We are perplexed, but not in despair. 2 Cor. iv. 8. We can distinguish no general truths, or at least shall be apt to perplex the mind. Locke. 3. To plague; to vex; to tormen. Glanvill. Syn. -- To entangle; involve; complicate; embarrass; puzzle; bewilder; confuse; distract. See Embarrass.
Intricate; difficult. [Obs.] Glanvill.
"hopple": 1. To impede by a hopple; to tie the feet of (a horse or a cow) loosely together; to hamper; to hobble; as, to hopple an unruly or straying horse. 2. Fig.: To entangle; to hamper. Dr. H. More.
A fetter for horses, or cattle, when turned out to graze; -- chiefly used in the plural.
"fetter": 1. A chain or shackle for the feet; a chain by which an animal is confined by the foot, either made fast or disabled from free and rapid motion; a bond; a shackle. [They] bound him with fetters of brass. Judg. xvi. 21. 2. Anything that confines or restrains; a restraint. Passion's too fierce to be in fetters bound. Dryden.
1. To put fetters upon; to shakle or confine the feet of with a chain; to bind. My heels are fettered, but my fist is free. Milton. 2. To reastrain from motion; to impose restrains on; to confine; to enchain; as, fettered by obligations. My conscience! thou art fettered More than my shanks and wrists. Shak.
"perplexity": The quality or state of being perplexed or puzzled; complication; intricacy; entanglement; distraction of mind through doubt or difficulty; embarrassment; bewilderment; doubt. By their own perplexities involved, They ravel more. Milton.
"irregularly": In an irregular manner.
Difficulty: 16.00
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13120
With
the
ankle-chains
fitted,
he
lifted
the
length
of
chain
that
would
hobble
my
step.
1340
ravelling
prev
next
Definition (ravel)
Definition (ravel)
1. To separate or undo the texture of; to take apart; to untwist; to unweave or unknit; -- often followed by out; as, to ravel a twist; to ravel out a sticking. Sleep, that knits up the raveled sleave of care. Shak. 2. To undo the intricacies of; to disentangle. 3. To pull apart, as the threads of a texture, and let them fall into a tangled mass; hence, to entangle; to make intricate; to involve. What glory's due to him that could divide Such raveled interests has he not untied Waller. The faith of very many men seems a duty so weak and indifferent, is so often untwisted by violence, or raveled and entangled in weak discourses! Jer. Taylor.
1. To become untwisted or unwoven; to be disentangled; to be relieved of intricacy. 2. To fall into perplexity and confusion. [Obs.] Till, by their own perplexities involved, They ravel more, still less resolved. Milton. 3. To make investigation or search, as by picking out the threads of a woven pattern. [Obs.] The humor of raveling into all these mystical or entangled matters. Sir W. Temple.
"unknit": To undo or unravel what is knitted together. Fie, fie! unknit that threatening unkind brow. Shak.
"untwist": 1. To separate and open, as twisted threads; to turn back, as that which is twisted; to untwine. If one of the twines of the twist do untwist, The twine that untwisteth, untwisteth the twist. Wallis. 2. To untie; to open; to disentangle. Milton.
"knits": Small particles of ore. Raymond.
"raveling": 1. The act of untwisting, or of disentangling. 2. That which is raveled out; esp., a thread detached from a texture.
"sleave": (a) The knotted or entangled part of silk or thread. (b) Silk not yet twisted; floss; -- called also sleave silk. Sleep that knits up the ravell'd sleave of care. Shak.
To separate, as threads; to divide, as a collection of threads; to sley; -- a weaver's term.
"disentangle": 1. To free from entanglement; to release from a condition of being intricately and confusedly involved or interlaced; to reduce to orderly arrangement; to straighten out; as, to disentangle a skein of yarn. 2. To extricate from complication and perplexity; disengage from embarrassing connection or intermixture; to disembroil; to set free; to separate. To disentangle truth from error. Stewart. To extricate and disentangle themselves out of this labyrinth. Clarendon. A mind free and disentangled from all corporeal mixtures. Bp. Stillingfleet. Syn. -- To loose; extricate; disembarrass; disembroil; clear; evolve; disengage; separate; detach.
"entangle": 1. To twist or interweave in such a manner as not to be easily separated; to make tangled, confused, and intricate; as, to entangle yarn or the hair. 2. To involve in such complications as to render extrication a bewildering difficulty; hence, metaphorically, to insnare; to perplex; to bewilder; to puzzle; as, to entangle the feet in a net, or in briers. "Entangling alliances." Washington. The difficulties that perplex men's thoughts and entangle their understandings. Locke. Allowing her to entangle herself with a person whose future was so uncertain. Froude.
"unweave": To unfold; to undo; to ravel, as what has been woven.
"intricacy": The state or quality of being intricate or entangled; perplexity; involution; complication; complexity; that which is intricate or involved; as, the intricacy of a knot; the intricacy of accounts; the intricacy of a cause in controversy; the intricacy of a plot. Freed from intricacies, taught to live The easiest way. Milton.
"perplexity": The quality or state of being perplexed or puzzled; complication; intricacy; entanglement; distraction of mind through doubt or difficulty; embarrassment; bewilderment; doubt. By their own perplexities involved, They ravel more. Milton.
Difficulty: 16.00
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 13725
I
slept
for
ten
hours
at
a
stretch,
night
after
night,
healing
my
lacerated
body
with
sleep’s
ravelling
repair.
1341
malign
prev
next
Definition
Definition
1. Having an evil disposition toward others; harboring violent enmity; malevolent; malicious; spiteful; -- opposed to benign. Witchcraft may be by operation of malign spirits. Bacon. 2. Unfavorable; unpropitious; pernicious; tending to injure; as, a malign aspect of planets. 3. Malignant; as, a malign ulcer. [R.] Bacon.
To treat with malice; to show hatred toward; to abuse; to wrong; to injure. [Obs.] The people practice what mischiefs and villainies they will against private men, whom they malign by stealing their goods, or murdering them. Spenser. 2. To speak great evil of; to traduce; to defame; to slander; to vilify; to asperse. To be envied and shot at; to be maligned standing, and to be despised falling. South.
To entertain malice. [Obs.]
"vilify": 1. To make vile; to debase; to degrade; to disgrace. [R.] When themselves they vilified To serve ungoverned appetite. Milton. 2. To degrade or debase by report; to defame; to traduce; to calumniate. I. Taylor. Many passions dispose us to depress and vilify the merit of one rising in the esteem of mankind. Addison. 3. To treat as vile; to despise. [Obs.] I do vilify your censure. Beau. & Fl.
"asperse": 1. To sprinkle, as water or dust, upon anybody or anything, or to besprinkle any one with a liquid or with dust. Heywood. 2. To bespatter with foul reports or false and injurious charges; to tarnish in point of reputation or good name; to slander or calumniate; as, to asperse a poet or his writings; to asperse a man's character. With blackest crimes aspersed. Cowper. Syn. -- To slander; defame; detract from; calumniate; vilify. -- To Asperse, Defame, Slander, Calumniate. These words have in common the idea of falsely assailing the character of another. To asperse is figuratively to cast upon a character hitherto unsullied the imputation of blemishes or faults which render it offensive or loathsome. To defame is to detract from a man's honor and reputation by charges calculated to load him with infamy. Slander (etymologically the same as scandal) and calumniate, from the Latin, have in common the sense of circulating reports to a man's injury from unworthy or malicious motives. Men asperse their neighbors by malignant insinuations; they defame by advancing charges to blacken or sully their fair fame; they slander or calumniate by spreading injurious reports which are false, or by magnifying slight faults into serious errors or crimes.
"unfavorable": Not favorable; not propitious; adverse; contrary; discouraging. -- Un*fa"vor*a*ble*ness, n. -- Un*fa"vor*a*bly, adv.
"traduce": 1. To transfer; to transmit; to hand down; as, to traduce mental qualities to one's descendants. [Obs.] Glanvill. 2. To translate from one language to another; as, to traduce and compose works. [Obs.] Golden Boke. 3. To increase or distribute by propagation. [Obs.] From these only the race of perfect animals were propagated and traduced over the earth. Sir M. Hale. 4. To draw away; to seduce. [Obs.] I can forget the weakness Of the traduced soldiers. Beau. & Fl. 5. To represent; to exhibit; to display; to expose; to make an example of. [Obs.] Bacon. 6. To expose to contempt or shame; to represent as blamable; to calumniate; to vilify; to defame. The best stratagem that Satan hath . . . is by traducing the form and manner of them [prayers], to bring them into contempt. Hooker. He had the baseness . . . to traduce me in libel. Dryden. Syn. -- To calumniate; vilify; defame; disparage; detract; depreciate; decry; slander.
Difficulty: 16.00
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 24030
The
Pakistan
secret
service,
the
ISI,
had
a
malign
interest
in
every
foreigner
who
entered
Afghanistan
without
their
sanction
during
the
war.
1342
wildflowers
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next
Difficulty: 16.00
Appears 1 times in book:
Sen 11233
Moving
away
from
us,
the
dancers
romped
and
rolled
on
the
rhythm,
their
swaying
heads
like
a
field
of
wildflowers
weaving
back
and
forth
on
waves
of
wind.